TONAWANDA, N.Y. — With Thanksgiving only days away, members of the Western New York community are doing their best to support some of the more than 1,500 workers who were laid off from Sumitomo Rubber USA earlier this month.

“It’s my whole life pretty much. I started there when I was just 23 or 22,” said Dave Muszynski, a former worker for Sumitomo Rubber USA. “The way it was, was a shock. I mean I can’t say totally that you don’t see it coming somewhat.”

In an attempt to help former workers, The United Way of Buffalo & Erie County wanted to start by putting food on their tables.

“What we wanted to do was provide some immediate support, so you’re seeing us giving out 500 turkeys and 500 $50 gift cards,” said Trina Burruss, president and CEO of The United Way of Buffalo and Erie County.

They're hoping to help them make ends meet.

“It’s just hard to do during the holidays and stuff like that and during a time of Thanksgiving [and] Christmas, where you needed a little extra money to get you by,” said Muszynski.

And show them other resources available, like the United Way Work/Life Solutions program.

“To help individuals understand the supports available in the community and that could be anything; food, shelter or maybe just mental health supports,” said Burruss. 

“I think it’s harder for a lot of other people. I’m one of the lucky ones. I’m married, my wife works, my kids are a little older, they’re all on their own a little bit. But it’s the ones that have kids, family, Christmas, all that,” Muszynski said.

Bringing the City of Good Neighbors out in full support this holiday season.

“The community should know that we’re ready to respond when we need to in the ways that we can,” Burruss said.

“At the end of the day, we've got to get through it and find another way," said Muszynski. "One door opens and a new one opens up."