Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser stands amongst the United Healthcare employees who volunteered to hand out free turkeys for the day, from left, Natalie Holt-Simmons, Glen Golemi, Pat McCallister-LeDuff, Parish President, Christine O'Brien, Bridget Galatas and Allison Miller.

Families who otherwise would not have been able to afford a special holiday meal were given one at the Belle Chasse Auditorium on Dec. 20.

United Healthcare partnered with Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and the United States Department of Agriculture Commodities to get 196 turkeys to the low-income residents living in Plaquemines Parish.

Glen Golemi, CEO of United Healthcare, said many of the people working for and covered by his company live in the parish, and their mission is to help people live healthier lives.
“By providing them with holiday dinners, we can help them work toward eating healthy,” said Golemi.

All of the volunteers who unloaded boxes and distributed items to people are United Healthcare employees, “taking the time to help out,” Golemi said.

Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser stopped by to thank the volunteers and contributors for their donation.

“This couldn’t have come at a better time,” said Nungesser.

Nungesser said it reminded him of the difficulty finding turkeys that would fit into the small, FEMA trailer-sized ovens following Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

All of the donated turkeys were 8.5 pounds – the right size for trailer ovens – and came with a box of non-perishable side dishes to make a complete meal, such as canned vegetables, boxed stuffing, a pie crust and instant pie filling.

—
Michelle Provencher
michelle@plaqueminesgazette.com