If you answered, '3,000 pounds of elbow macaroni,' you can continue reading this missive.
That’s because the ton-and-a-half of pasta was the exact amount—give or take a two-pound bag—volunteers from Empire City, Yonkers Raceway and the Standardbred Owners Association of New York assembled for distribution during their annual visit to the Food Bank for Westchester.
It was ECYR’s third annual visit to the Food Bank, which is located in Elmsford, about 20 minutes north of Yonkers. The gung-ho gang of about 25, including drivers Jason Bartlett and Jordan Stratton, did all of the compulsories.
We’re talking double-bagging, scooping, weighing (again, two-pound bags) and packing the macaroni, which shall be part of thousands of holiday meals countywide. The newbies among the group were also given a tour of the Food Bank’s giant warehouse.
“We often speak of people right in your own backyard who are in need,” volunteer services manager Nancy Lyons said. “Well, there are 54 organizations we distribute to and partner with that are located right there in Yonkers.”
“It was just a couple of hours out of my day, but I could see how much it means,” Bartlett—part of the scooping section--said. “I’ve been here each time, and if they ask again, I would be happy to return.”
As for Stratton, who multi-tasked between scooping and sealing, “I enjoyed it. (Jason and I) were able to work with some ‘non-racing’ people from other Empire City areas. Besides helping out a good cause, maybe we can turn some into racing fans.”
(Yonkers Raceway)