Thanksgiving is almost upon us, with the holiday season following close behind. This year, Borough President Marty Markowitz will continue his ongoing tradition of distributing turkeys and other trimmings to various Brooklyn community groups, who give them to the homeless or less fortunate. Last year, Markowitz handed out 1,000 turkeys and seven tons of trimmings, which includes apples, collard greens, baking potatoes and sweet potatoes. This year’s festivities will take place at Borough Hall on Nov. 23 at 11 a.m.

You can join Markowitz and get into the giving spirit this season. Here are some suggestions:

New York Cares

New York Cares connects volunteers with organizations year round. But this holiday season you can help out with the “Winter Wishes for Kids and Families� campaign, by providing a gift for a child who might not otherwise receive one. Visit www.newyorkcares.org to answer a request for a child, a teen or a family, as an individual or as a team. New York Cares also holds an annual coat drive every December; visit the organization’s web site for more information.

Food Bank for New York City

The Food Bank fights food poverty in New York City. Every $1 you donate to this organization can help provide five meals for New Yorkers in need. You can also donate food or volunteer in any number of ways — from serving meals to staffing public awareness and fundraising events. Visit www.foodbanknyc.org for more information.

St. John’s Bread and Life

This Bed-Stuy organization brings food to the poor, offers nutrition counseling, medical support and a legal clinic. The organization accepts volunteers and donations of food and money year round. Visit www.breadandlife.org for an abundance of opportunities.

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church is holding a pre-Thanksgiving Food Drive for Brooklyn’s less fortunate families. Non-perishable (canned and dry) foods will be accepted at a table in the rear of the church sanctuary through Sunday, Nov. 22.

Score! Pop-Up Swap

On Nov. 21, 3rd Ward design center in Bushwick will be the setting for a massive free exchange. For $3 at the door, bring your old records, clothes, accessories, housewares, art supplies, books and DVDs, and score some new treasures. Drop your stuff at the donation table, where it is sorted, and browse various departments of free items. Leftover items are donated to charity. Proceeds from the cover charge and sales of $5 Score! tote bags support City Harvest, an organization that rescues and delivers food that would otherwise go to waste.

Heights and Hills Thanksgiving Dinner

This annual Thanksgiving dinner for senior citizens is a community effort co-sponsored by Heights and Hills, Grace Church and Cobble Hill Health Center, held at Grace Church on Thanksgiving Day. The Thanksgiving Dinner is open to senior citizens, regardless of economic status. Meals are also delivered to about 75 neighborhood seniors who are too frail to get out and join the festivities. Volunteers are needed on Thanksgiving Day between 10:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. to help with delivering meals to the homebound, seating and serving the guests, cleaning up and socializing with guests. Volunteers are also needed to bake and bring pies to Grace Church on or before Thanksgiving Day. Call (718) 596-8789 to sign up or for further information.

Jewish Guild for the Blind

The Jewish Guild for the Blind helps thousands of individuals annually through a wide range of programs and services designed to support and enhance their physical, emotional and intellectual functioning. The Guild is located at 15 West 65th Street in Manhattan. Volunteers help blind, visually-impaired and multi-disabled children, adults and elderly people to enjoy fuller and more independent lives. They are needed this holiday season to help with arts and crafts including ceramics, knitting, crocheting and sewing groups; offer music appreciation and music instruction; lead literature, drama, exercise and dance workshops; help with groups going to museums, shops and concerts; read newspapers and books to groups or individuals; conduct walking tours and recreational trips; assist in letter writing, filling out business forms and the paying of bills; and assist with clerical work, including mailings, at the Guild. Contact the Guild at (212) 769-7816 or volunteeringinfo@jgb.org.

— Compiled by Sarah Tobol
Brooklyn Eagle

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