Long Islanders Asked to Support 9th Annual Bethpage Turkey Drive to Benefit Island Harvest Food Bank

BETHPAGE, N.Y. - Oct. 19, 2017 - PRLog -- Long Island's largest food drive event, the 9^th Annual Bethpage Turkey Drive to benefit Island Harvest Food Bank, will take place on Friday, November 17, 2017 from 7 AM to 6:30 PM. Donations can be dropped off at Bethpage Federal Credit Union's (https://www.bethpagefcu.com/personal.aspx) headquarters located at 899 South Oyster Bay Road in Bethpage.

Long Islanders are asked to drop off frozen turkeys, non-perishable food items (except those in glass containers), supermarket gift cards, or cash donations.  These donations will go directly to Island Harvest Food Bank (http://www.islandharvest.org/), which will then help supply Thanksgiving meals to the more than 300,000 food-insecure Long Islanders through its distribution network of over 550 food pantries, soup kitchens, and other feeding programs on Long Island.

"Over the past month, we have seen the great generosity of Long Islanders as thousands helped support people in need across our country and the Caribbean," said Linda Armyn, Senior Vice President, Bethpage Federal Credit Union.  "There are also many people right here on Long Island who need our help and we hope Long Islanders' continued generosity to support one another, both near and far, will continue into the holiday season.  Last year, a record 18,300 pounds of food and over 2,300 turkeys were donated to Island Harvest Food Bank and our goal this year is to top those numbers.  Please come out and support your neighbors!"

"Bethpage Federal Credit Union has established itself as a caring and valued partner in addressing the critical needs of more than 300,000 Long Islanders facing food insecurity and hunger," said Randi Shubin Dresner, President and CEO, Island Harvest Food Bank. "Their annual Bethpage Turkey Drive and year-round support of our efforts are truly making a difference in the lives of our neighbors who rely on us for essential food support."

For those unable to travel to Bethpage's main branch on November 17, Nassau and Suffolk County residents can visit any of Bethpage's 34 branch locations to drop off any monetary donations you may have.  For a complete list of Bethpage branches, go to www.lovebethpage.com.

Since the first Bethpage Turkey Drive was organized in 2009, hundreds of community volunteers have come out to assist in the collection of more than 28,000 turkeys and over 100,000 pounds of food, which were then given to Long Island families facing hardship in time for the holidays.  Island Harvest Food Bank has seen an increase in the requests for food and support services among the 570 community-based agencies it serves.  About 70,000 individuals receive food assistance from the Island Harvest Food Bank network each week.

Island Harvest Food Bank (http://www.islandharvest.org/) is a leading hunger-relief organization that provides food and other resources to people in need. Always treating those it helps with dignity and respect, its goal is to end hunger and reduce food waste on Long Island through efficient food collection and distribution; enhanced hunger-awareness and nutrition-education programs; job training; and direct services targeted at children, senior citizens, veterans, and others at risk of food insecurity. As a result of Island Harvest Food Bank's dynamic business model, more than 94 percent of expended resources go directly to programs and services that support over 316,000 Long Islanders facing hunger. Island Harvest Food Bank is a lead agency in the region's emergency response preparedness for food and product distribution, and is a member of Feeding America (http://www.feedingamerica.org/)^®, the nation's leading domestic hunger-relief organization. Island Harvest is a four-star-rated nonprofit by Charity Navigator, an independent charity watchdog organization. More information can be found at www.islandharvest.org.

Bethpage Federal Credit Union is a premier community financial institution committed to enriching the lives of its members, employees and the communities it serves for the past 75 years.  Bethpage is the largest credit union in the Northeast Region, as well as 16^th in the nation. Bethpage is a federally chartered credit union who is open to new members that open a membership account with $5 dollars.  As a financial cooperative, Bethpage offers the best-in market rates, low fees and world-class service, and a full menu of personal and commercial financial services.

On Long Island, Bethpage maintains branch locations in Albertson, Baldwin, Bay Shore, Bay Shore King Kullen, Bethpage, Centereach, Central Islip, Commack King Kullen, East Meadow NuHealth Medical Center, East Northport, Elmont, Farmingdale, Freeport, Glen Cove, Hempstead, Huntington, Levittown King Kullen, LIU Post (Brookville), Long Beach, Lynbrook, Massapequa, Melville, Mineola, North Babylon, Patchogue, Port Jefferson, Riverhead, Roosevelt, Seaford, Smithtown, Valley Stream King Kullen, West Babylon and Westbury.  In New York City, Bethpage maintains a branch location at 111 W 26^th Street.  Bethpage also offers over 500 surcharge-free ATMs in King Kullen, CVS Pharmacy and Costco locations.  For more information on Bethpage's robust portfolio of banking, borrowing, and investment services, visit www.lovebethpage.com or call 1-800-628-7070.