LI Cares, Old Navy Of Huntington Teaming Up To Help Long Island

HUNTINGTON, NY — Long Island Cares, a Hauppauge-based food bank with satellites across the island, and Old Navy of Huntington, have teamed up since September to help those dealing with food insecurity.

Taylor Owen, general manager of Huntington Old Navy, brought a group of staff to the Corporate Volunteer Day held by Long Island Cares in September. Kaylin Peterson, philanthropy manager at Long Island Cares, immediately was able to tell that Owen was enthusiastic about helping the food bank.

Peterson said she told Owen about Long Island Cares's PawsWalk, a walk benefitting Baxter's Pet Pantry that was held in October. While Owen said she would spread the word, she made the drive from Sea Cliff to Patchogue with her daughter and dog to support the organization.

When Owen considers giving back, Long Island Cares is the first name to pop into her head, she said.

"As we were thinking about how to reach the highest volume of people on Long Island, Long Island Cares stands out," Owen told Patch. "You see the trucks driving all over the island, their facilities are big, and the name stands out. When I first reached out to them, they were so informative and made me feel off the bat that this was going to be a great partnership."

The organization lets Owen know of upcoming events, different ways Old Navy employees can volunteer their time, and what donations are needed.

For Owen, it's not just how Long Island Cares operates, but its mission that stands out.

"Everyone knows someone affected by food insecurity, whether it's firsthand or through a family member or acquaintance," she said. "For me, as someone with a child, the thought of any child hungry is something nobody should have to worry about. As for Old Navy, their core values are very much in line with that mindset. Having so many employees across the globe, the impact that one company can have on the world is immense."

Taylor said people "never know" about someone else's situation and feels the need to step in and take charge with the help of her team.

Peterson said Long Island Cares is considering the next project it will ask for Old Navy's help with. The most recent venture was during the holidays, when the food bank ran its Adopt-A-Family program. Owen recruited her staff to fill bags for families in need and then packed her personal car with 40 complete holiday meals and dropped them off at Hauppauge.

"Old Navy, specifically Taylor, has been a perfect example of what we would hope for in a corporate volunteer," Peterson said. "To this day she continues to ask what’s next and how she can help. Overall, Taylor is just a very enjoyable person to be around. Her willingness to help is infectious and much appreciated by Long Island Cares. We look forward to engaging Old Navy further in the upcoming year and are excited to have Taylor be a part of it."

Owen said her favorite part of volunteering with Long Island Cares is interacting with the people running it. The nonprofit, Owen said, lets her know how Old Navy helps make a difference through the food bank.

Old Navy managers are given many resources and motivation to help their local communities, according to Owen. Owen, who's worked 15 years in retail, said Old Navy is the most compassionate company she's worked for.

Old Navy logs volunteers' activities and hours and issues field team grants to give back to the organizations it volunteers through. The team continues to participate in food drives and other events to help keep Long Islanders fed.

"The amount of time and emphasis put on community is truly inspiring," Owen said. "Being able to see the differences you as an individual, store, and brand can make in real time gives me hope for our future."

Patch has partnered with Feeding America since 2020 to help raise awareness in our local communities of hunger, a persistent national problem exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks and 60,000 local meals programs across the country, estimates that nearly 34 million people, including 9 million children — about 1 in 6 Americans — are living with food insecurity. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.