LI Food Bank Distributes Food To 100 Families

BAY SHORE, NY — More than 100 families received free food on Friday, thanks to a $50,000 grant from Newsday Charities.

Long Island Cares-The Harry Chapin Food Bank served more than 100 cars at a mobile distribution at Oak Park Elementary School in Bay Shore.

According to a representative, each recipient was provided with a minimum 3 days/9 meals supply of food. Package contents include non-perishable fruit, vegetables, protein, whole grains, dairy and juice, they said.

LI Cares also said they recognizing the cultures of the families they support. In addition to staple food items, families receive meseca, fresh fruits, and frozen lean proteins.

“Our program has become a staple in the community. Students and their families have become friends, and over the years that we have provided support we have seen the program grow and make a direct impact in eradicating childhood hunger, " said Dr. Jessica Rosati, Chief Program Officer. "This happens by ensuring families have continuous access to nutritious foods."

The event was part of the food bank's Mobile Food School Pantry Program, which distributes food to 11 elementary schools within the Brentwood Union Free School District. Since 2014, it has given food to each school once a month over the course of the academic year, Long Island Cares said.

Long Island Cares — the Island's first food bank — was founded by the late singer/songwriter Harry Chapin in 1980. It annually distributes more than 14 million lbs. of food and supplies to food-insecure Long Islanders. The food is also shared among more than 300 member agencies in Nassau and Suffolk Counties, the release said.

Long Island Cares also operates in six other locations, in Bethpage, Freeport, Hampton Bays,Hauppauge and Lindenhurst. Lindenhurst is also the home of Baxter's Pet Pantry, which supplies pet food and supplies to families in need.

To learn more about Long Island Cares or how to get involved, click here.