LI Cares Receives $25K Grant For 'Hope For The Homeless' Program

HAUPPAUGE, NY — Long Island Cares, an organization that runs the Harry Chapin Food Bank, received a $25,000 grant from New York State Sen. John Brooks (D — Massapequa), according to a news release.

The funds will help Long Island Cares' program Hope for the Homeless, where, each week, the organization distributes food and personal care items to various locations on Long Island. The organization also helps with housing when it can.

The grant from Brooks will be used to purchase food, said Dr. Jessica Rosati, chief programs officer at Long Island Cares. The money will provide 33,750 pounds of food, which equals 28,000 meals.

There are two key factors that contribute to the importance of this program, according to Rosati.

"The first is that there is real street homelessness on Long Island, that we have a responsibility of helping," Rosati told Patch. "The second is that Long Island is one of the most expensive regions to reside in. As the regional food bank for Long Island, it is our commitment that any person in need has consistent access to nutritious foods."

Brooks says he has been involved with Long Island Cares since the organization first started.

"I have seen the work they do — all the people they help — and I have been to many of their facilities and have worked in their warehouse to get items ready," Brooks said. "We are exceptionally fortunate that we have an agency like Long Island Cares that is able to reach the community in need, and that is so in tune with the needs of these people. I know the needs on Long Island are very very high for people, but the manner in which they handle themselves, it helps people, it is very welcoming — and that is very important as it is very difficult asking for assistance. So I just think it is a wonderful, wonderful agency and I’ve seen the good it does. Anything I can do to help, I will do."

Brooks said he "absolutely" plans to continue offering grants to Long Island Cares for its Hope for the Homeless program, as well as other projects.

"I think we have a moral obligation to support programs like Long Island Cares as best we can," he said. "When I do get funds available, like I did in this instance, I am absolutely going to give it to agencies like this one who do a wonderful job — because of their tremendous operating efficiencies, they can do a great deal with that money and help literally thousands of people. I never have a problem giving funding to agencies helping people — it is important for us to do that. So, if I can find ways to help people, I am going to do it every time."

Hope for the Homeless began in 2011 and will continue until it is no longer needed, Rosati said.

"It is dedicated to serving one of Long Island’s most underserved populations," she said. "Hope for the Homeless provides ready-to-eat food and necessary personal care products to the street homeless on a weekly basis. Staff work to develop a rapport with the street homeless with hopes of providing information and referrals for housing and other needs."

Hope for the Homeless also partners with Nassau and Suffolk counties on other programs for the homeless.