Iona College Donates 116 Thanksgiving Food Baskets to Local Food Pantries

New Rochelle, NY (November 21, 2011) Iona College donated 116 Thanksgiving food baskets to three local charitable organizations: Hope Community Services (New Rochelle), Greystone Foundation Child & Youth Services (Westchester County), and Abraham House (Bronx). Over 100 clubs, organizations, administrative offices and academic departments generously donated the baskets of food.

This annual initiative is part of the fabric at Iona for over 10 years.  Each gift basket contained a gift certificate for a turkey, and approximately 20 other items to complement a typical Thanksgiving dinner including an assortment of canned goods and ingredients for desserts and beverages. This generous holiday donation drive is sponsored each year by the Center for Campus Ministries.  “As the coordinator for this event for the past five years, I am convinced that this is by far one of the most tangible acts of support and generosity that we as an Iona community participate in.   We truly answer the call of Edmund Rice when he said, “Give to the poor in handfuls.  Iona members go above and beyond giving t-shirts, table cloths and thoughtful cards,” said Tiffany DiNome, coordinator for Iona in Mission.

As part of the campus-wide event, Father Frank Dixon blessed all the Thanksgiving baskets, followed by songs from the Iona Singers and the Gospel Choir. Brother Kevin Devlin, Director of Student Retention and Board member of Hope Community Services introduced Carole Troum, Executive Director from Hope Community Services who thanked the Iona community for their continued support especially during tough economic times as the need increases. Gabriel Witt student campus minister, and student liaison for the project, thanked the groups for their involvement at the end of the blessing.

The award for most creative basket went to the club IC Green who won the contest for best Thanksgiving basket based on creativity, thoughtfulness and generosity.   The food baskets filled six vans which were used to distribute the baskets of hope in time for the Thanksgiving holiday.

For more information on how you can contribute to any of these worthwhile organizations, please contact Tiffany DiNome, at tdinome@iona.edu or call 914-633-2340.

Founded in 1940, Iona College is a four-year private, coeducational institution of learning in the tradition of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers and American Catholic higher education. It is a diverse community of learners and scholars dedicated to academic excellence and the values of justice, peace and service. Iona offers undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, science, and business administration, as well as Master of Arts, Master of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees and numerous advanced certificate programs.

For questions or more information please contact:
Dawn Insanalli
Public Relations Office
Iona College, 715 North Avenue, New Rochelle, N.Y. 10801
Office: (914) 637-2726
Fax: (914) 637-2711
dinsanalli@iona.edu