Local Contractor to Donate Turkeys to People in Need

CENTRAL ISLIP, NY — The owner and staff at a Bohemia-based roofing company will carry on a longtime tradition of caring for those in need this Thanksgiving season.

King Quality contractors will deliver 150 turkeys, as well as side dishes, baked goods and beverages Wednesday at 11:30 am. to 1 Carleton Avenue in Central Islip, across from AutoZone.

The donation will be made in partnership with Lighthouse Mission of Bellport, Long Island’s largest mobile food pantry, whose mission is” to feed the hungry, help the homeless and empower people to overcome poverty and live purpose-filled lives.”

According to Pastor Howie Mann, Lighthouse Mission outreach director, the mobile pantry serves 10 outreach locations throughout Long Island, and feeds more than 3,000 people each week thanks to local donations.

Jeff Brett, the CEO of King Quality, told Patch that he enjoys working with Lighthouse Mission because of their ability to help reach a variety of people.

“Sometimes we have our eyes closed,” said Brett. “(They are) helping people that people forgot about.”

Brett said he first began working with the organization about five years ago when one of his employees discovered that Lighthouse Mission had put a call-out regarding a need for turkeys.

A third generation resident of Port Jefferson, Brett said he was amazed at how about 200 people showed up when he first donated.

“I couldn’t believe the lines to get food,” said Brett. “It's Long Island, one of the richest places in the world— and there are so many people in need.”

Since then, Brett has partnered with other Long Island non profit organizations, such as Hope House Ministries in Port Jefferson. King Quality is also a lead charity sponsor for Mather Hospital and the JTM Health Facilities Foundation.

When COVID-19 hit, Pastor Mann said that Lighthouse Mission was one of the few food pantries on Long Island to continue operating because they are mobile. Due to the delta variant, Mann said that the number of recipients in need has increased.

“Many of the people are struggling with life,” said Mann. “They don't know what they're going to do the next day. They don't know where meals are going to come from.”

Brett said that King Quality still donated turkeys in 2020, but he and his staff did not distribute them in person due to health safety protocols. To be able to deliver in person, Brett told Patch, is a priceless experience.

“It really gives you the full impact of being there,” said Brett. “ (To) see the people, I think it really helps.”

While COVID-19 prevented King Quality from supporting the community in certain ways, Brett found other ways to give back. This February, King Quality provided a brand new roof to a retired nurse in Roosevelt, free of charge.

“She's doing everything for charity,” said Brett about Sara Jenkins. “Other people want to help her because she's amazing.”

Brett said that he is constantly inspired by the kindness of others. One of his favorite anecdotes, Brett told Patch, was when a disabled veteran told him to save the bigger turkeys “for other people.” The veteran asked for a small turkey, Brett said, because he would be alone on Thanksgiving.

“Everybody has problems. But when you come and see people who don't have food— that's, that's something,” said Brett. “It's heartbreaking.”

Brett told Patch that service to others makes a lifelong difference.

“To get involved in the local community is just so fulfilling,” said Brett. “You can see change, you're helping people under need right in front of you.”

To learn more about the donation and Lighthouse Mission, click here.