AOH Division 5’s Food Drive Helps Feed Less Fortunate on Long Island

Pictured Above: Ed Kelly, Kayla Kelly, Jim Mannix, Dennis Curtin, Larry Hurley, Mike McElleny, Don Schauder, Tom Thompson, John Hurley

Shirley, NY - May 2, 2017: The Ancient Order of Hibernians, Mary & Joseph Thompson, Division 5 held their bi-annual food drive on Sunday, April 30th in Shirley, NY. AOH division members were on hand at King Kullen on William Floyd Parkway in Shirley collecting food and other donations to benefit the St. Jude Roman Catholic Church Outreach Program in Mastic Beach.

“Poverty on Long Island has been ever increasing since the Great Recession and we felt that we needed to do our part to help”, explained Don Schauder, Chairman of Charities & Missions for Division 5. “We understand how poverty and hunger can have such an adverse effect on communities. Our own Irish history shows us how hopelessness under such terrible conditions can fundamentally change a person, and the larger community as a whole. We just want to do our part in helping to make life a bit easier for struggling Long Islanders.”

Local King Kullen shoppers agreed, having donated enough food and supplies to fill two pickup trucks. “The people of the Shirley and Mastic area are so generous. They made this event a huge success”, said Larry Hurley, Vice President of Division 5. “It is truly an amazing thing to see how everyone steps up to help people less fortunate.”

The Ancient Order of Hibernians, Division 5, will be holding another food drive later in the year. For more information about charity events or to join the order, visit aohdiv5.org.