Coney Island Prep helps feed families for Thanksgiving

December 1, 2015 Anna Spivak

Photo courtesy of Coney Island Prep

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Teens in Coney Island really brought home the turkey this Thanksgiving.

Helping to feed more than 100 local families this year, eight Coney Island Prep students took to the Coney Island YMCA on Tuesday, November 24 to hand out canned goods and 100 donated turkeys.

“We are proud to partner with our community’s outstanding young people to bring nourishing meals to Coney Island residents,” said Johanna Zaki, executive director of the Alliance for Coney Island—a collaborative of independent attractions, businesses and organizations in the area. “At this time of year, it is especially important to remember those among our community who could use a helping hand.”

According to Coney Island Prep, the students collected the canned goods over the past month.

“The reason this event is so great is that it shows the community that we still value the importance of Thanksgiving, and it shows that, even though we are students, we are strong people who have values and want to reach out to people during the holidays,” said Zaire Williams, a 10th grader at the school. “This event will bring together the community and help us to grow as students.”

Working alongside Coney Island Prep and the Alliance for Coney Island to put on the event—known as Coney Island Gives Thanks—were Councilmember Mark Treyger, Assemblymember Pamela Harris, the Coney Island YMCA, Families for Excellent Schools and Urban Neighborhood Services. The turkeys were donated by Fairway Markets and Families for Excellent Schools.

“These cans are going to people in need and it’s important to provide for them because it is teaching us all empathy here at school. Everyone should have a meal on Thanksgiving,” added Coney Island Prep seventh grader Sincair Bowers.