NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — The pandemic has halted thousands from working, but one organization is still going strong on Thanksgiving eve to ensure everyone has nutritious meal this holiday.
The holiday is about giving and volunteers at God’s Love work every year to make sure those who are food insecure have a meal to be thankful for.
On Wednesday, dozens of people were at the organization’s headquarters, wearing masks and gloves and staying socially distant, to prepare and package traditional Thanksgiving meals.
“Turkey, stuffing, gravy, yams, the whole thing,” says president and CEO Kaen Pearl.
He says this year, volunteers and churning out more food than ever before. In total, they will package 10,000 meals to be delivered to people all over New York City.
“Since COVID, God's love has grown by 30% in meals,” Pearl explains.
Vilay Kannalikhan is among those who will be delivering food. She started volunteering a few months ago when the pandemic first struck.
“I had a lot of time on my hands, like we all did, and at least we should make those most of it and be more productive,” she said.
Kannalikhan notes she is also skipping her usual Thanksgiving trip to California.
Martin Freeman, 74, is among those who helps package the food and says he has been volunteering for years.
“It's helping people who otherwise would not have a meal and food is medicine, as this organization always says,” he said.
Pearl says in just the last week, around 3,000 people have called the organization looking for help in feeding their family this year.
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