Stew Leonards Donates Hundreds Of Turkeys In Norwalk

NORWALK, Conn. – Stew Leonard’s donated more than 600 turkeys Thursday to area churches, organizations and charities as part of the popular food store’s annual Thanksgiving “Turkey Brigade.”

Andrew Colton, president of the Norwalk Stew Leonard's, hands a box of turkeys to Michael Luboff, head chef at the Norwalk Stew Leonard's, during the company's annual turkey donation initiative Thursday.
Photo Credit: *Alfred Branch*

by Alfred Branch

11/16/2012 1:30 p.m.

The store has been donating Thanksgiving turkeys for 33 years, and the 643 donated by the Westport Avenue store Thursday were part of more than 1,900 turkeys the company’s four stores – Newington, Danbury, Yonkers, N.Y., and Norwalk – gave out in total.

"A lot of people can’t have Thanksgiving this year because of the hurricane,” said family member Jill Leonard. “Many of the area food pantries are also empty due to the storm. So it feels especially good to be able to give this year.”

Among the Norwalk groups that received turkeys were the Carver Foundation of Norwalk, Grace Episcopal Church, Child Guidance Center of Mid-Fairfield County and St. Philip’s Church.

“This is our sixth year receiving turkeys, and we’re so thankful,” said Betty Hunter, the program director at St. Philip’s, which received 30 turkeys. “We’re giving them out on Tuesday, and we would not be able to serve so many without this generous donation from Stew Leonard’s. It’s very important to us, and we appreciate it.”

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