Turkey is a staple of Thanksgiving meals, but many Long Island veterans go without it.

Alex Murtha is an Army veteran from Baldwin who's food insecure. He's had a hard time putting food on the table for his 3-year-old.

Island Harvest gave out Thanksgiving meals in Hempstead as part of "Operation Hope" so veterans like Murtha don't have to go hungry this holiday.

The organization gave away about 8,000 pounds of food, which will feed about 100 veterans and their families.

Fred Arnold, a Marine Corps veteran from Farmingdale, says he appreciates the Nassau and Suffolk PBAs for collecting all of the food, as well as those who donated it.

Arnold says the donations mean he won't have to choose between paying bills and buying food for the holiday season.

While the event was specifically for Thanksgiving, Island Harvest reminds people that food-insecure veterans need help year-round.