Bronx, NY – Assemblyman Dinowitz was joined at his district office by representatives from the Kingsbridge Heights Community Center and Saint Francis of Rome Church in Wakefield, who picked up thousands of cans, boxes, and jars of food collected by local students and community members during Assemblyman Dinowitz’s holiday food drive. These non-perishable food items, along with 20 turkeys donated by Kelly Ryan’s Bar and Restaurant, will go to Bronx families in need this holiday season.

Assemblyman Dinowitz said, “I am pleased to report that our holiday food drive has been a huge success thus far! Thanks to the inspiring efforts of the community, in particular the students and staff at PS 7 and PS 81, my office has been absolutely filled to the brim over the past few weeks with boxes of food. These donations make a big difference to many families in our community. If you haven’t yet had the chance to give back this holiday season, don’t forget that my office will be accepting non-perishable food items until December 15th!”

Dave Lynch and Mike Lang from Kelly Ryan’s Bar and Restaurant said, “It is a pleasure that we at Kelly Ryan’s Bar & Restaurant are able to donate turkeys this holiday season. It is so important to remember those who are struggling especially during the holidays. We are most thankful that we are able to help out those in our community who need it most.”

Giselle Melendez-Susca, Executive Director of the Kingsbridge Heights Community Center, said, “KHCC is grateful to Assemblyman Dinowitz for his annual gift of turkeys and non-perishable food to families of the Kingsbridge area who cannot keep pace with rising grocery costs and will be provided with a traditional Thanksgiving meal at KHCC.”

“We are grateful for this incredible outpouring of support for our food pantry. On behalf of the hundreds of families we serve this holiday season, thank you to Assemblyman Dinowitz, Kelly Ryan’s Bar and Restaurant, and everyone else who participated in this holiday food drive,” said Pat McCaffrey and Lorrin Johnson, Co-chairs of the St. Frances of Rome Food Pantry.

All food items will be donated to the Kingsbridge Heights Community Center and the food pantry at Saint Frances of Rome Church for families in need during the Thanksgiving, Chanukah, and Christmas holiday seasons. The following canned and non-perishable food items are accepted: canned fruits and vegetables, cereals, dried beans, pasta, rice, tuna, coffee, teas, canned juices, powdered milk, Jell-O, and soups. Residents may donate their canned goods to Assemblyman Dinowitz’s office located at 3107 Kingsbridge Avenue; one block west of Broadway, just off of West 231st Street. For more information, call (718) 796-5345.