Food Tent Helps Shinnecock's Hungry, Keeps Coronavirus Out

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — A new food distribution tent set up by the Shinnecock Indian Nation helps to feed the hungry — and to keep the new coronavirus from infiltrating the territory.

According to Shinnecock Nation Vice President Lance Gumbs, Friday will mark two weeks for the tent, which was set up to help members of the Shinnecock Indian Nation.

"We have finished up Week 1 under these very trying circumstances with New York being the new epicenter of this pandemic," Gumbs wrote last week, adding that he wanted to thank all of the volunteers that helped at the food distribution tent.

"They worked tirelessly in bagging and boxing food for the walk ups and delivery to our elders, shut ins and homebound," he said. "We are not a community that says 'thank you' often to one another so I just wanted to take a moment to make sure that each and every one of you know how greatly appreciated you are for your service to our fellow tribal community citizens."

Gumbs also thanked the rest of the Tribal Council who supported the cause and the Shinnecock Revival, for securing the donations for food.

"Get some rest. We start again bright and early Monday morning for Week 2 of our 'Surviving COVID-19 Shinnecock Nation Food Distribution," he wrote. "Mamoweenene: We move together!"

Speaking with Patch, Gumbs said the idea was born for the tent after schools closed and the district was providing meals for children. "We had nowhere really to dispense the food," he said. "I do pow wows and tents all the time, so I thought it would be a good idea to put up a food tent."

Utilizing a tent would mean the food distribution would take place in the open air outside, he said, helping all to adhere to social distancing protocols, which all tribal members are following.

Pastor Curtis Terry of the Shinnecock Revival Center called and asked Gumbs if he wanted food for the Nation.

The Council of Trustees authorized the tent rental; the tent was set up on Thursday evening, and by Friday, the first shipment of food and supplies arrived, he said. "It all came together that quickly," Gumbs said.

The Southampton School District, Island Harvest and Panera Bread have all donated, Gumbs said. "Between the three entities, there has been a tremendous amount of food. It's been absolutely wonderful."

(Video courtesy of Lance Gumbs)

A Greenport-based transportation company has a van that has been used to help deliver food to seniors and the homebound, Gumbs said. While at first tribal member volunteers were delivering all the food, the van helped to streamline the process, he said.

The meals, which include breakfasts, lunches and dinners, offer an array of choices. On Friday, a total of 528 meals were either delivered or picked up.

The food and supplies are available for everyone, men, women, seniors, children, Gumbs said. "Everyone is going through this. People are out of work. This helps the community and eases the burden."

And, he said, having a central distribution point helps to stop the influx of people on and off the territory and "potentially keep down the threat of the virus coming in to the community," Gumbs said.

As of Tuesday, he said, there were no reported cases of coronavirus within the Shinnecock Indian Nation. To that end, Gumbs said the goal is to close roads into the territory for all but tribal members to keep the virus out and the community safe.

Recently, the federally recognized tribe received $75,000 from the Indian Health Service, to be used for preparedness response, among other things, Gumbs said. The Nation, he added, has just purchased an order of essentials including toilet paper and cleansers

As coronavirus cases continue to spike nationwide, offering delivery to homebound or elderly tribal members helps to quell their fears — and to comfort, he said.

And, just as the Shinnecocks join together every November for a Nunnowa feast, held on the Thursday before Thanksgiving, so the tribe has come together to share food in the face of uncertain times.

"This is something that we do for one another," Gumbs said. "This is just another way for the Nation to take care of our people."