Thanksgiving - More than ever, please help others

Living in Northern New Jersey, and vacationing many years on Long Beach Island, the effects of Hurricane Sandy have touched us all.  My family is lucky.  We lost power up north but that was the worst of it.  There are many others that have had profound difficulties, and I continue to keep them in my good thoughts and prayers.

There are so many opportunities to give thanks by helping others who have been displaced and made homeless by this huge storm.  Here are a couple suggestions:

Help residents of Long Beach Island, NJ:  Love In A Bag

If you need retail therapy that will help residents, purchase the bag.  In addition, here is the official LBI Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund link.

Help residents of Staten Island, NY:  This effort was verified through one of our profs at The College of Westchester in White Plains, NY.  Feel free to contact me directly via email for more information.  He set up a relief effort that the college is participating in to help affected residents of Staten Island.  Call Romeo Brothers Meat Corporation in Brooklyn and ask to donate to Thomas Joseph Catering.  Charge whatever you’d like to your debit/credit card and leave them your name and number (Thomas will be contacting you to let you know how you helped and who got the food your donations went towards).  Romeo Brothers Meat Corporation – (718)331 - 5911

Help residents of Long Island, NY: 

http://www.longislandpress.com/2012/11/06/hurricane-sandy-donation-drop-off-locations-on-long-island/

 Typically, what is needed depends on the location, but food pantries and shelters need serving supplies as well as food and clothing, paper products and water.  Click here for info.   

Here is a partial list of what people need and what caterers are asking for:

 Needed Supplies

·         plastic wrap (high demand)

·         aluminum foil (high demand)

·         half trays with lids (catering style)

·         whole trays with lids (catering style)

·         sternos  

·         blankets

·         towels

·         paper products

Needed Food

·         pasta (any kind) 

·         tomato sauce

·         tomato cans

·         onions

·         garlic

·         grated cheese

·         red peppers

·         green peppers

·         chop meat

·         chicken (breast or parts)

·         broccoli

·         sausage

·         eggs

·         American cheese

·         Cheddar cheese