PSEG Long Island Gears Up To Fight Hunger This Summer

LONG ISLAND, NY — PSEG Long Island is partnering with Island Harvest Food Bank and Stop & Shop to fight insecurity close to home this summer.

Organizers of the "Power to Feed Long Island" food drive, PSEG Long Island's second annual event, aim to provide 30,000 meals for Suffolk and Nassau families.

PSEG Long Island, Island Harvest Food Bank and Stop & Shop kicked off the drive Tuesday, the first day of summer. Seven PSEG Long Island Power to Feed Long Island employee ambassadors, along with anti-hunger advocates and elected officials, gathered at the Stop & Shop in Massapequa to donate food and funds, and call on Long Islanders to take action to support neighbors facing food insecurity.

Beginning July 1 and continuing through the end of September, collection drives will be set up at six different Stop & Shop supermarkets across Long Island, where community members can donate non-perishable food and essential care items, PSEG Long Island said. This year’s goal is to collect the equivalent of 30,000 healthy, nutritious meals for Long Island families struggling to put food on their tables during Island Harvest’s 30th anniversary this year.

“We are kicking off our second annual Power to Feed Long Island campaign with Island Harvest and Stop & Shop because hundreds of thousands of our neighbors still need our help,” said David Lyons, interim president and COO, PSEG Long Island. “Last year, PSEG Long Island’s Power to Feed Long Island created a venue for Long Islanders to help fight food insecurity, and they responded with bags, carts and trunks filled with thousands of pounds of food for their neighbors. Thanks to their generosity, we exceeded our 21,000-meal goal in 2021."

He added: "There is still hunger in every zip code."

Hundreds of thousands of Long Island families struggle with hunger and food insecurity throughout the year, especially during the summer months, when there is a significant reduction in food donations to local food banks, pantries and programs, organizers said. Compounding the issue, children are not in school where they can receive free and reduced-cost breakfast and lunch. In addition, the pandemic and increased inflation rate have further strained local food pantries and emergency feeding programs served by Island Harvest, a release added.

In addition, all agree, the pandemic has put a noticeable strain on the supplemental food supply chain. In fiscal year 2020 to 2021, Island Harvest Food Bank distributed more than 18 million pounds of food — the equivalent of 15 million meals — to Long Islanders facing food insecurity, an 83 percent increase over fiscal year 2018-2019.

“While summer is often a time of plenty for most of us, many Long Island families continue to struggle to put food on their tables,” said Randi Shubin Dresner, president and CEO of Island Harvest Food Bank.

“Stop & Shop is proud to lend its support to PSEG Long Island as it partners with Island Harvest to provide for the needs of Long Islanders,” said Stefanie Shuman, Stop & Shop spokesperson.

Members of the public are encouraged to come to the collection sites and donate non-perishable food items. Collection bins and a contactless, drive-thru, drop-off option will be available at each location. The first collection event will be held all day on July 1, the Friday of Independence Day weekend. The remaining five food drives will take place on subsequent Fridays as follows:

· July 1 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. 702 Hicksville Road, Massapequa, NY

· July 22 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 291 West Main Street, Smithtown, NY

· Aug. 5 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 1615 Old Country Road, Riverhead, NY

· Aug. 19 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 95 Old Country Road, Carle Place, NY

· Sept. 2 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 3126 Jericho Turnpike, East Northport, NY

· Sept. 16 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 575 West Montauk Highway, West Babylon, NY

In addition, Island Harvest has a need for specific items, including:

• Nonperishable food: Healthy varieties of canned foods, such as low-sodium beans, vegetables, soups, pasta sauces and tomato varieties, tuna and chicken, rice, pasta, nut butters, olive and canola oil, spices and pet food (no glass containers).
• Household essentials: Toilet paper, paper towels, hand sanitizer, laundry detergent and dish soap.
• Personal care items: Toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, soap, shampoo, conditioner, feminine care products and shaving products, antibacterial wipes and washcloths.
• Baby care items: Diapers, wipes, formula, creams, ointments and baby wash.

Additionally, information will be available from PSEG Long Island on electric service payment plans and programs, and ways to save money through energy efficiency options.

For additional information on Power to Feed Long Island, or to make an online monetary donation, click here. For more information on PSEG Long Island’s assistance and payment programs for customers experiencing financial hardship, click here.