Oneida Indian Nation Partners with HELP USA to Provide Holiday Meal to the Homeless

This story was filed on September 23, 2012

Ray Halbritter, Oneida Indian Nation Representative and CEO of Oneida Nation Enterprises, has initiated an effort between HELP USA and the New York tribe to help feed the homeless next month.

With the current economic conditions causing a surge in homelessness across the country and with next month National Homeless Awareness Month, which is tied with the symbolic significance surrounding Thanksgiving, a holiday that originated from Native Americans providing food and shelter to the pilgrims, Halbritter knew there was no better time for the Oneida to give back in a meaningful way.

Joining forces with HELP USA, a non-profit group dedicated to providing housing and support services to the homeless, the Oneida will serve a Thanksgiving meal to hundreds of homeless people on Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010. The feast will be streamed live online.

Halbritter has recruited a bunch of celebrities to join him in a PSA campaign to raise awareness on homelessness and HELP USA and to help serve the holiday meal. Among them are Mario Cantone, Jill Flint, Thomas Jones, Evan Lysacek, Gilles Marini, Amy Carlson, Jesse Metcalfe, Leven Rambin and Justin Tuck.

To learn more about this effort or to donate, visit: www.HELPUSA.org, Facebook.com/HELPUSA, twitter HELPUSA and www.crowdrise.com (Holiday HELP Feed the Homeless).

Jodi Rave Spotted Bear (Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation)

Founder & Editor in Chief

Location: Twin Buttes, North Dakota

Spoken Languages: English

Topic Expertise: Federal trust relationship with American Indians; Indigenous issues ranging from spirituality and environment to education and land rights

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