Suffolk News-Herald

Sara Lee employees are opening their hearts and the Salvation Army dining hall today to provide a Thanksgiving meal for the senior citizens, those receiving services from the Salvation Army, and residents of the Shelter for the Homeless.

This year the Suffolk plant is going all out to serve not only turkey, but also ham, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, dressing, gravy, lots of deserts and… well, you get the picture. A festive table loaded with even more festive foods. The program begins at 3 p.m., and meals will be served until 5 p.m. By the way, a raffle will be held for those who attend the feast.

Okpun Langley, an administrative assistant at Sara Lee’s Suffolk plant in Wilroy Industrial Park, said the company’s employees in Sara Lee’s Coffee and Tea Consumer Brands Division truly enjoy their tradition of giving each holiday season.

&uot;We provided Thanksgiving dinner to the senior residents of Chorey Park Apartments last year and they seemed to enjoy it so much,&uot; said Langley. &uot;We believe our company is not only part of the community, but also that the community is a part of Sara Lee. Because of that, we wanted to get involved with as many activities as possible… to be of the best community service volunteers we could be.&uot;

During their first community service project, the employees shared the bounty of their blessings with those less fortunate, partnering with the Suffolk Shelter for the Homeless.

&uot;We served Thanksgiving dinner at the shelter and we had more than enough to feed everyone there with lots of food left over,&uot; said Langley. &uot;Once we finished serving the shelter residents, our committee took foods over to a retirement home.&uot;

Sara Lee’s Suffolk plant was purchased in late 1999 from the Nestles Corp., and since then has been committed to community service activities.

&uot;We have a community action committee at our plant consisting of a representative from each department,&uot; said Langley. &uot;That group is dedicated to understanding, cooperating and helping in any way they can within the community.&uot;

The Sara Lee company in Suffolk employs 200 people in the Consumer Brands Division.