Newburgh Students, Community Partners Deliver Over 100 Thanksgiving Turkeys
More than 100 Thanksgiving turkeys and boxes of seasonal groceries were distributed to families in need on December 3, through Newburgh Free Academy and its Family and Community Engagement Pop Up School Pantry. The effort brought together the Regional Foodbank of the Hudson Valley, Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital, HealthFirst, student volunteers, and district leaders to ease holiday food strain for local households.
On December 3, Newburgh Free Academy students and district staff joined community organizations to distribute more than 100 Thanksgiving turkeys and boxes of seasonal groceries to families across the district. The event was organized through the district’s Family and Community Engagement Pop Up School Pantry and aimed to reduce immediate food insecurity at a time when holiday household budgets are under pressure.
Major partners included the Regional Foodbank of the Hudson Valley, Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital which provided 100 bags of fresh produce, and HealthFirst which donated reusable bags. Other local partners contributed food and logistical support to assemble and hand out the boxes. Student volunteers from NFA AF JROTC and My Brother’s Keeper helped sort items and manage distribution, providing critical manpower and strengthening ties between students and community service work.
District leadership was present at the distribution. Superintendent Dr. Jackie Manning Campbell and Board of Education President John Doerre were on site as families collected turkeys and groceries. The presence of school leaders underscored the role schools increasingly play as frontline social service hubs, particularly during seasonal spikes in demand for food assistance.
For Orange County residents, the distribution offered immediate relief for households facing elevated grocery bills and holiday expenses. Programs that combine donations from hospitals, regional foodbanks, health organizations, and student volunteers can stretch local resources and reduce short term pressure on family budgets. The contribution of 100 fresh produce bags from a local hospital also points to growing collaboration between health systems and food assistance programs, reflecting recognition that nutrition is linked to community health outcomes.
Looking beyond the holiday season, efforts like this highlight the potential for sustained school based pantries and partnerships to address ongoing food needs. As cost of living pressures continue to affect many families, coordinated public private initiatives at the school district level can provide timely support and build community resilience.
