Two day before this year’s Thanksgiving, a nondescript corridor in Loew Hall suddenly became a bounteous cornucopia, overflowing with all the fixings for a holiday feast — all of it free for Bronx Community College students and their families who face food insecurity issues that are particularly felt during the holidays.

“We’re giving away fresh produce, fresh fruit, stuffing, cornbread, beans, rice and of course turkey — everything for a complete Thanksgiving meal,” said Dedra Polite, director of BCC’s Single Stop Office, which organized the event.

Some 160 turkeys were distributed that day. A hundred of the fresh gobblers were donated by the BCC Foundation, with more turkeys and the side dishes contributed by the New York Food Bank, which keeps BCC’s free food pantry well supplied all year round. The following morning, 20 more turkeys were handed out, courtesy of New York State Assembly Member Victor Pichardo.

“Thanksgiving is when we celebrate all of us as a family — this shows that we care about one another. To me that’s the most important thing, said BCC President Thomas A. Isekenegbe. “I am thankful for all of the volunteers here. They are heroes and heroines for making this possible.”

One of those volunteers sending off students with bags of comfort food was Jimmy Paul, a recent BCC graduate now studying at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. “It’s always good to give back. We’re all striving to get an education, but at the same time many of us are not able to afford food. If you can get a good meal, why not help other students achieve their dreams?”

Cat food and dog food were part of the giveaway, so that EVERY family member could enjoy the upcoming festivities. There were light bulbs as well, to illuminate the turkey in all its fully-dressed splendor.

“I am very grateful to BCC and Single Stop for the Thanksgiving meal, because right now I don’t have any food in my house,” said a second year Liberal Arts Human Services major. “So this is a lot. I am thankful for my family and that I am alive.”