Thanksgiving is one of the busiest times of year at Feeding Westchester, but it is also one of the most heartwarming. This year, even after the holiday rush, generosity continued pouring in — in ways none of us expected.
On Sunday, as her daughter practiced volleyball at Westchester Community College, our Chief Operating Officer, Tami Wilson, stopped by the office to catch up on a few things. Earlier that afternoon, several community members had arrived to drop off food donations. They carried bags and boxes filled to the brim, and when they struggled to get everything through the door, Tami promised she would take care of it once she returned.
When she walked into the office the next morning, she paused in surprise.
The donation area was full — truly overflowing — with food from individuals and families who chose to support their neighbors during the holiday weekend. The sight brought an immediate wave of gratitude. Even after long days, heavy workloads, and a season when need across Westchester surged, people were still showing up for one another.
Wanting to give staff and volunteers space to return from a much-needed break without facing a mountain of sorting, Tami quietly rolled up her sleeves. With the help of one of the many shopping carts our team keeps on hand, she began organizing, moving, and shelving every item — careful not to set off alarms, and still trying to figure out exactly where everything would fit.
What could have been an overwhelming pile of work became something else entirely: a reminder of the deep generosity that lives in this community.
Neighbors haven’t forgotten each other.
They continue to give.
They continue to care.
They continue to show up.
Moments like this reflect the heart of Feeding Westchester’s mission. Every donated bag, every volunteer hour, and every act of giving helps ensure families across our county can celebrate the holidays with dignity, warmth, and a full table.
As Tami shared, “Standing there, looking at all of those donations, I felt grateful for this community and for everyone who makes this work possible every day.”
Happy December from all of us at Feeding Westchester.
