On Monday, Nov. 25, over 35 underserved families in Irvington experienced the spirit of Thanksgiving thanks to a local nonprofit’s compassionate initiative. Volunteers from Salaam Food Pantry hand-delivered 70 Thanksgiving bags— each family receiving two bags: one with a fresh halal turkey and the other with all the essential ingredients needed to prepare warm and traditional holiday meals.
The organization behind this initiative, Salaam Food Pantry is a lifeline for many underserved families in the Tri-City area, providing monthly food distributions that include essential non-perishable items and fresh produce. “Our goal is to service diverse underprivileged families and individuals in the Tri-City area,” Founder Naseer Irfan said. By focusing on veterans, single parents and families struggling to make ends meet, the pantry ensures that vulnerable community members receive consistent, high-quality support. Through its volunteer-driven approach and strong leadership, Salaam Food Pantry has become a reliable source of support and hope for the Irvington community and beyond.
The effort was made possible by a dedicated team of local volunteers, community members and partners who came together to ensure these families could enjoy a memorable holiday meal. Volunteers began preparations in advance, contacting donors to source fresh halal turkeys and high-quality ingredients.
On distribution day, volunteers worked together to prepare and pack fresh onions, potatoes and other Thanksgiving essentials, then hand-delivered the completed bags. Each bag was filled with everything needed for a traditional Thanksgiving feast, including stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, bread rolls, pies, green beans and cranberry sauce. “I was able to make a difference in my community and seeing how happy the families were made all the hard work worth it,” shared volunteer Anam Ahamd. In addition to the Thanksgiving bags, families received brand-new blankets from a community blanket drive organized by Peace Terrace Academy.
Salaam Food Pantry plans to expand its holiday programs next year and aims to bring even more joy and support to needy families. This Thanksgiving program is a powerful example of how community and compassion can make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. “A lot of families can’t afford [Thanksgiving groceries] for themselves, and you provide full Thanksgiving meals for them, and it’s a blessing for all of us to be a part of that,” expressed donation recipient Barbara Buar.
