Governor Paterson Visits Equinox Community Dinner Volunteers

ALBANY, NY (11/24/2010)(readMedia)-- Governor David A. Paterson today visited volunteers preparing Thanksgiving meals as part of the 41st Annual Equinox Community Dinner at the Empire State Plaza Concourse in Albany. This is his third visit to Equinox's Community Dinner preparation as Governor.

"Tomorrow, 9,000 homeless or homebound people will enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner because their neighbors cared too much to let the holiday pass them by," Governor Paterson said. "And for that, I want to commend the Equinox Community Services Agency for organizing this 41st annual Thanksgiving Day dinner and for exemplifying the generosity of spirit that lives and breathes in the hearts of New Yorkers, especially in these challenging economic times."

The Equinox Thanksgiving Day Community Dinner brings together thousands of volunteers who prepare and deliver thousands of Thanksgiving meals to needy community members' homes. This year, approximately 3,000 volunteers are expected to deliver approximately 9,000 meals to their neighbors throughout the greater Capital District region, and an additional 500 meals will be served at the First Presbyterian Church on State Street in Albany.

In the days before Thanksgiving, community members have donated and prepared more than 8,600 lbs. of turkey, 2,000 lbs. of ham, 3,200 lbs. of yams, 1,100 pies, 900 dinner rolls and 400 gallons of gravy. These meals are prepared and assembled in the State Office of General Services kitchens in the Capitol Concourse.

Office of General Services Acting Commissioner Carla Chiaro said: "The Office of General Services is honored to be of service once again this year. The unique layout of our kitchens, available parking and the size of the concourse make this an ideal space for the thousands of volunteers who make this monumental undertaking a reality. I would like to join with Governor Paterson in commending Equinox for providing meals and support to the less fortunate."

Kathleen Tanner, Executive Director of Equinox, said: "I would like to thank Governor Paterson for recognizing the truly amazing efforts of our volunteers who come back year after year to make Thanksgiving Day special for so many people throughout the Capital District. I also want to thank the Office of General Services as we could not do this without their help and the help of the thousands of volunteers and all those in the community whose generous donations make this Thanksgiving tradition possible."

"Even in these difficult economic times, I know that New York State will endure because of our willingness to come together as New Yorkers in the spirit of generosity and shared sacrifice to help those in need," the Governor added. "As long as that spirit endures, our State will too."

###

Additional news available at www.ny.gov/governor | High resolution images available at www.ny.gov/governor/mediaimages | password: paterson | New York State | Executive Chamber | press.office@chamber.state.ny.us | 212.681.4640 | 518.474.8418 | Follow us on Facebook and Twitter