CAST Needs Help To Feed Growing Number Of Hungry On North Fork

NORTH FORK, NY — Food insecurity is growing on the North Fork and a local organization, whose mantra has long been "neighbors helping neighbors", needs a hand to meet the burgeoning need.

CAST, or the Center for Advocacy, Support and Transformation, is in the midst of its "Neighbors Helping Neighbors Match Challenge" and is seeking help.

Food distribution and CAST's spring break Feed-A-Kid program are in high gear, the organization said — with twice as many children enrolled as last spring. CAST is now serving nearly 500 local children through its Feed-A-Kid program, which provides nutritious meals when schools are closed.

Also, in the first three months of the year, 156 new families have come to CAST for food relief and the total number of client families now exceeds 1,000, CAST's executive director Cathy Demeroto said.

"We hope you can help us feed these families in our community who are struggling to make ends meet," Demeroto said. "Your support will make a tremendous difference for our neighbors in need experiencing hunger and food insecurity and who rely on our help to ensure they have adequate nutritious food for healthy lives."

A donation plea added: "With more families coming to CAST every week needing help putting food on their tables, we need your help! Please donate to our Match Challenge today, double your donation and double the number of meals we can provide to our neighbors in need. Please rise to the challenge and double your gift's impact by donating today."

To donate, click here.

Supporters can donate online or by check payable to CAST, P.O. Box 1566, Southold, NY 11971; note “Match Challenge” on memo line.