LI Cares, Beyond Van Gogh Extend Charity Drive As Back To School Event

WESTBURY, NY — A successful charitable partnership between Long Island Cares and Beyond Van Gogh has led to the food drive being extended, this time geared toward students heading back to school.

Along with the non-perishable staples, school supplies are sought through the end of August.

What makes this donation drive unique is "making art more accessible," Long Island Cares' William Gonyou told Patch. "Since we were founded by a musician [Harry Chapin], the arts are important to connect with it."

To receive one free admission at the door, donations can be any combination of two non-perishable food items and/or school supplies. Ordering Beyond Van Gogh tickets online, donations are a minimum $20 purchase.

"Upon arrival at the door, you just present your paid ticket [with] the bag of groceries or school supplies, or the online donation of $20," Gonyou said. "Then you get that second ticket for free."

Tickets can be purchased online.

Donations can be any combination with a minimum $20 value to receive one free admission.

"We can't give out used school supplies," Gonyou said. "We want children to feel like every other student feels that's not coming from a family in need."

Those items could range from bookbags and notebooks to crayons and pens. Art supplies and calculators are also welcome.

"I usually tell parents when they're looking to donate, whatever is you're buying your student, donate that, and buy a second set," Gonyou suggested.

The initial food drive at the immersible exhibit was scheduled to end this weekend. Beyond Van Gogh, located at Samanea New York on Old Country Road, is due to close on Labor Day.

"I don't know Van Gogh, other than the basic information that everyone knows," Gonyou said. "Most of that art I had never seen before. At one point, I just sat on the floor, there was so much going on, I just needed to sit and watch."