South Queens, NY – Today, Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar (D-AD 38) hosted a successful turkey giveaway at her District Office, presenting hundreds of her constituents with turkeys for their Thanksgiving dinners. The event was a partnership between Assemblywoman Rajkumar and Zara Charitable Foundation, which is committed to lifting up families in need around Queens and the world.

Assemblywoman Rajkumar organized the event after the cost of Thanksgiving dinner reached a record high this year: the average price of a turkey has increased 20% compared to 2021. Between cold temperatures and overall inflation of 8%, Assemblywoman Rajkumar and Zara Charitable Foundation refused to allow deserving families to go without a turkey feast this holiday. This giveaway featured the delivery of over 180 turkeys to ensure that everyone in the district can enjoy a proper Thanksgiving meal with their loved ones.

Assemblywoman Rajkumar’s turkey giveaway is a first-of-its-kind public-private partnership for the Assembly District on the occasion of Thanksgiving. Since taking office, the Assemblywoman has created new partnerships with philanthropists to serve her constituents and has drawn both national and international attention for her district. In 2020, she won the Assembly seat by creating an unprecedented level of civic engagement, increasing voter turnout in the district by three times what it had ever been. Earlier this month, she won reelection to a second term with 97.8% of the vote.

Assemblywoman Rajkumar said: “Since I was a child, my family proudly celebrated the great American tradition of Thanksgiving. I am proud to establish this first-of-its-kind public-private partnership for my district to ensure all families here can celebrate Thanksgiving as well. Prices of turkeys are higher than ever this year with record inflation, so my office has stepped in to provide the turkeys for free. This Thanksgiving, I am grateful for this opportunity to serve the people of South Queens as their State Assemblywoman.”

Jay Sobhraj of Zara Charitable Foundation said: “Thanksgiving is about something bigger than tech devices and day-to-day distractions. Thanksgiving is about families coming together to make new memories while exploring past moments that made them strong. Thanksgiving is about the exchange of family values and a reminder of what matters most in life – your loved ones. ZARA practices what we believe through acts of compassion to help our community strengthen the bonds that which make them family. We are proud to partner with Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar, a dedicated selfless leader who understands that many are hanging on by the thinnest of threads and her fearless advocacy provides an unbreakable steel cable by which those who have fallen on hard times can pull themselves up! We wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!”

Tony Subraj of Zara Charitable Foundation said: “Thanksgiving is a timeless opportunity to savor with loved ones. Yet, the world today has erected barriers ranging from inflation to scarcity that could block joy for so many this holiday. ZARA is honored to assist in providing hardworking New Yorkers with the opportunity to celebrate family values, together. Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar’s efforts to uplift the community is a victory and inspiration for those determined to attain happiness and reach prosperity. We are proud to work with leaders that put the needs of people first, especially for a Happier Thanksgiving!”

Civic organizations Cityline Ozone Park Civilian Patrol (COPCP) and the Richmond Hill-South Ozone Park Lions Club (RHSOP) volunteered the day of the event to help distribute the turkeys.

Cityline Ozone Park Civilian Patrol (COPCP) Secretary and Ozone Park Pantry director Patricia Raghunandan said: “COPCP is passionate about supporting initiatives that lift up the people of our community. Today’s turkey distribution does just that, allowing so many families to enjoy a proper Thanksgiving. Thank you to our great friend Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar for always going above and beyond, and to Zara Charitable Foundation for their generous support.”

Richmond Hill-South Ozone Park Lions Club (RHSOP) 2nd Vice District Governor Romeo Hitlall said: “We applaud Lion-Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar and Zara Charitable Foundation for this groundbreaking initiative on Thanksgiving. They have truly gone the extra mile to serve our community. RHSOP always turns out in full force to support initiatives that help our community, and today we were proud to lend our manpower to distribute turkeys at the Assemblywoman’s office.”