Volunteers provide Thanksgiving meal at Mary Brennan Inn in Hempstead

The Interfaith Nutrition Network in Hempstead served hundreds of meals to needy neighbors this Thanksgiving. It's not easy for all Long Islanders to put a hot Thanksgiving meal on the table, but for

News 12 Staff

Nov 25, 2016, 3:35 AM

Updated 2,879 days ago

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The Interfaith Nutrition Network in Hempstead served hundreds of meals to needy neighbors this Thanksgiving.
It's not easy for all Long Islanders to put a hot Thanksgiving meal on the table, but for the 33rd year on Thanksgiving Day, INN volunteers were helping.
"The guests here are so happy with just a decent meal, it makes you kind of think to yourself, 'Why am I so always crabby?'" says Maureen McLoughlin, who has volunteered for six years.
The network's executive director, Jean Kelly, says the food was donated by community members. Donations included at least 100 turkeys.
"We're very grateful for everyone's generosity," Kelly says.
It's also a satisfying day of giving for Long Island Cares food bank director, Paule Pachter.
"Right now there are about 300,000 people here on Long Island that are struggling with food insecurity and hunger, and that includes 89,000 children," Pachter says.
The network has a privacy policy that prevents photographs of guests at the dinner, but News 12 cameras visited the kitchen where more than 45 volunteers were cooking. On a normal day, Kelly says the charity has about 20 to 25 volunteers.
Anyone who wishes to donate to the Inn can find information at their website.