Long Island Cares Makes Feeding America’s Advocacy Hall Of Fame

HAUPPAUGE, NY — The Long Island Cares Center for Community Engagement has been enshrined in the Feeding America Advocacy Hall of Fame for the eighth year in a row, according to a news release.

The Hauppauge-based food bank is a member of Feeding America, a nationwide hunger-relief organization that boasts a network of 200 food banks across the country.

The Advocacy Hall of Fame is a year-long contest that challenges Feeding America network members to complete a set of advocacy tasks before the end of the year. Members of Feeding America’s Advocacy Hall of Fame have their food bank’s name displayed on a plaque in Feeding America’s DC office.

"The advocacy footprint of Long Island Cares reaches not just Long Island," stated Michael Haynes, chief government affairs officer for Long Island Cares. "Our presence is noted in Albany as well as in Washington. It’s a privilege to mobilize such a passionate base of hunger advocates and work with legislators on both sides of the aisle who share our vision of a ‘Hunger Free Long Island.’"

Food banks that reach the annual hall of fame must excel in six categories:

1. Communicate with a member of Congress at least 11 times a year.
2. Work with State Assembly and Senate members at least 11 times a year.
3. Collaborate with grassroots supporters at least six times per year.
4. Collaborate with grasstops supporters at least six times per year.
5. Engage with local, state, and national media at least six times per year.
6. Educate and mobilize local partner organizations on the Feeding America policy issues at least six times per year.