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AS Americans sit down to Thanksgiving dinner, thousands on the country's east coast are still feeling the effects of Superstorm Sandy, which destroyed their homes.
In New York, the Mayor's office announced that 26,500 free Thanksgiving meals would be distributed to those still impacted by the storm.
While in New Jersey, the Governor Chris Christie and his aides handed out free Thanksgiving meals to those affected by Sandy.
Speaking at one event in Toms River, Mr Christie said members of his administration would attend 19 similar events the state to "try to lend a helping hand" in the storm's aftermath.
A Facebook page was set up called "Hurricane Sandy Thanksgiving Adopt a Family for Dinner". It urged those unaffected by the storm to take in families whose homes are still impacted for Thanksgiving.
But, while many are still out of their homes, one politician who represents a particularly badly hit area, said his constituents were determined to make the most of the holiday.
Representative Gregory Meeks, whose New York district includes the heavily battered Rockaways neighbourhoods, said he planned to stop by Thanksgiving dinners at three churches and a school.
"They are still giving thanks," Meeks said of his constituents. "They are thankful that they're alive and thankful to the people who are coming to help them."
Meanwhile the Thanksgiving parade in New York City provided welcome relief to the city which is still recovering from the storm.
More than 3.5m people attended the parade, which features 16 giant character balloons, including a 60-foot-tall Kermit the Frog, 28 floats, 1,600 cheerleaders and 11 marching bands.
Chris Tamis, whose home in Smithtown, New York was without power until recently, attended with his wife and two teenage children.
"Coming here is a good distraction. A lot of people are coming to get away from it," he said.
Tomorrow millions of shoppers are expected to hit the stores for one of the busiest shopping days of the year, Black Friday.
One campaign group has already attempted to rename the day Sandy Friday in New York. Alia Kate, who co-founded the campaign, said the group hopes to mingle with shoppers in the Big Apple and raise $50,000 (€38,859) for victims of the storm.
However there are fears that retailers in Sandy-affected areas could be dealt a double-blow by the hurricane, whose impact could affect the stores' takings on what is traditionally one of the busiest days of the year.
Telegraph.co.uk
