New York State is partnering with Walmart, Wegmans, FreshDirect and The Coca-Cola Company this Thanksgiving to help deliver meals to feed more than 32,000 people statewide, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s office announced on Monday.
“New Yorkers have a long and proud history of helping neighbors in need, and Thanksgiving provides a special opportunity to give back and reflect on what we are thankful for,” Cuomo said. “I am proud to partner with these organizations to provide thousands of families throughout the state with a warm meal. I encourage all New Yorkers to find ways to give back this week and throughout the holiday season.”
Meals, made from food donations from Walmart and Wegmans, are being assembled and packaged to feed more than 32,000 New Yorkers across the state. The meals include turkey, stuffing, pumpkin pie, vegetables, cranberry sauce and potatoes. Coca-Cola Company donated 3,000 two-liter or “family-sized” bottles of assorted beverages to be distributed with the meals. FreshDirect has provided 3,500 boxes to ensure the meals are properly packaged and delivered.
“Forty-two million Americans —one in eight of us —struggle with hunger according to the USDA,” Director of Public Affairs for Walmart in New York Jason Klipa said. “As the nation’s largest grocer, we’re strongly committed to being a part of the solution in the fight against hunger in New York and across the nation. We’re grateful for the opportunity to once again be involved in events like today as part of our goal to help provide meals to those that don’t have enough to eat.”
Walmart donated more than $25 million statewide in cash and other donations, including more than 12 million pounds of food —the equivalent of more than 10 million meals.
“Coca-Cola has a rich history of giving back and taking care of the communities where we live and work,” Paul Mulligan, co-owner of Liberty Coca-Cola Beverages LLC said. “We are New Yorkers too.”
