With Thanksgiving around the corner, the Jets joined up to tackle hunger along with Berkeley College as they donated $20,000 to Food Bank for New York City.
Jets guard Brian Winters, wide receiver Quincy Enunwa and Legends safety Erik Coleman unloaded more than 100 turkeys Tuesday from Food Bank's 54-foot tractor-trailer and helped prepare and serve a pre-Thanksgiving dinner for 500 people.
"I think it's great because we see the smiles that they give back to us," said Enunwa, who was placed on Injured Reserve with a neck injury in training camp. "I think that kind of makes me smile and feel good. Jets Nation aren't just the people that come to the games, it's also the people who can't make it to the games and watch it in their homes. We want to give back to each level of Jets Nation."
Now through Dec. 31, Food Bank will match donations up to $1,000,000 and the Green & White's contribution will provide 200,000 meals for New Yorkers. Approximately 1.5 million people suffer from food insecurity and even though it yields more attention during the holiday season, Food Bank for New York City serves 500 hot meals daily in addition to their pantry service, which feeds more than 1,000 more people. And for Thanksgiving, they'll serve 700-800 birds.
"As much as I can, I want to be able to help out," Winters said. "I envy the people doing this day in and day out. Starvation is one of the biggest things in New York and all around the world. It's a great thing they have going here and I definitely want to come back and do more."
Seana Weaver of Food Bank for New York City said the West Harlem location's busiest day of the year fell on Tuesday when Winters, Enunwa and Coleman teamed up to serve and interact with the community.
"Families are really concerned about getting that meal onto the table and making sure they feel full and happy," Weaver said. "They get to really spend time with food and coming together as a family."
Enunwa said he was "very thankful" to give back. "It's always good to me and I think helping everybody else to have a great holiday is going to be good," he said. "I'm going to feel good on Thanksgiving knowing that I gave back."
Jets and Berkeley College Help Prepare Thanksgiving Dinner at NYC Food Bank and Donate $20,000 dollars