Hamptons Restaurant Workers Team Up To Help Feed Hungry

EAST END, NY — Employees at local eateries in the Hamptons are coming forward to help feed the hungry in the Hamptons and across the East End.

In an effort to help East End food pantries meet the growing staffing demand created by the increased numbers served by pantries, restaurant workers and other employees earning paychecks under the federal government’s Payroll Protection Plan are stepping in to lend a helping hand, a release from All for the East End's "Feed the Need" campaign said.

The new effort utilizes restaurant workers from Sabrosa Mexican Grill in Water Mill and employees from Southampton Youth Services to help out volunteers at the “Heart of the Hamptons” food pantry.

The pilot program, which starts this week, is expected to be expanded to other areas, with additional restaurant/pantry partnerships in the near future.

“While New York State is temporarily on shutdown, Sabrosa is happy to participate in this program using our employees at the local food pantry,” said restaurant owner Donna Andreassi. "The Sabrosa team is committed to helping our community and this will allow us to do our part to help those in need at this difficult time.”

Two workers from SYS will also participate in the new swap program, Southampton Town officials said. “We know these pantries are tapped out, many of their volunteers are elderly and are forced to stay home, while we have employees earning paychecks who are more than able and willing to step up,” said Scott Johnson, executive director of SYS. “This is a no brainer and while SYS remains closed, we are more than happy to help the pantries.”

The new program begins Tuesday at 10 a.m. with workers loading grocery bags, and then returns on Wednesday for pantry distribution day at “Heart of the Hamptons” in Southampton.

“We are eager to see how this all works out," said Hilton Crosby, executive director of Heart of the Hamptons. "We are so grateful for the cooperation from so many businesses and organizations.”

Plans for the restaurant swap program are expected to expand across the East End, organizers said. Restaurant owners and other business owners who would like to help staff the pantries should email info@aftee.org.

For additional information or to make a donation click here or email info@aftee.org.