Caring for the Hungry and Homeless of Peekskill – aka CHHOP – is set to host their Annual Community Turkey Trot Saturday, Nov. 22 in Peekskill. Check-in begins at 8am with the Trot beginning at 9am from the Gazebo @ central and North Division. The event – as always – is free, but participants are asked to pre-register and bring a frozen turkey (ham or chicken) to the event which will be distributed immediately following the Trot, along with other healthy and nutritious “sides,” to families facing food insecurity, for their holiday meal. Pre-registration can be done at CHHOP.org/TurkeyTrot.
With the uncertainty around federal SNAP and Medicaid benefits affecting the community, the local need for food has significantly increased. CHHOP addresses the unfortunate and growing issue of food insecurity in the area. As of press time, pre-registrations for the event this year have far surpassed those of previous years and CHHOP is looking forward to hosting those in the community looking to actively participate in supporting their neighbors.
The event will benefit CHHOP-operated Fred’s Pantry, Peekskill’s largest local resource for those facing food insecurity focused on providing fresh, nutritious, locally sourced food. Study after study has illustrated that healthy food provides not only physical wellbeing, but economic and mental health benefits. In 2024 alone, Fred’s Pantry provided nearly a quarter of a million meals to the community.
Cynthia Knox, CEO, CHHOP said, “Hosting the Turkey Trot is one of the highlights of our year. We are so grateful to Peekskill and the surrounding communities for showing up to support the work CHHOP does for those facing food and housing insecurity. Housing and food are basic human rights.”
Participants, supporters, bystanders, children (and pets!) are encouraged to dress up in their turkey “baste.” Trophies will be awarded in a variety of categories. The 2025 edition of the highly collectible Trot socks, and turkey hats, will be available for sale on-site with proceeds going to support Fred’s Pantry.
So bring your family, friends, community group, co-workers, pets and spectators down to join CHHOP on Saturday, Nov. 22 – and make it an annual tradition.
