100 Christmas Dinners Donated By Peekskill Business Owner

PEEKSKILL, NY — Given that giving is the reason for the season, a Peekskill businessman donated the fixings for Christmas feasts to 100 Westchester families struggling with food insecurity.

"I was thinking of those that are not working throughout this pandemic and all of those businesses that have shut down and let people go. Northern Westchester Collision has been blessed with a dedicated staff and a loyal clientele," Gregory Lizotte told Patch. "We take things like holiday dinners for granted and really everyone doesn’t have the luxury of buying a turkey dinner for Christmas. It’s a small thing that I can do to help another person."

Lizotte worked with Catholic Charities of New York to make it happen.

"I’ve seen the good things that Catholic Charities has done in the community and it woke me up to the real need that exists, that sometimes we turn a blind eye to. When I decided to do this, there was no question that I needed to partner with Msgr Sullivan and his staff," he said.

Turkeys and the fixings for several side dishes were handed out over two days in Peekskill. On Monday, Msgr. Kevin Sullivan, executive director of Catholic Charities New York, joined Lizotte at his business on Washington Street.

The full turkey distribution was to take place at Assumption Parish in Peekskill on Tuesday.

Patch has partnered with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimates that in 2020, more than 50 million Americans will not have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.