Our food bank had a rent-free home on the grounds of Pilgrim State Psychiatric Center for almost twenty years.  All good things must come to an end sooner or later, and so one day the State of New York reluctantly informed us that we needed to vacate the building because much of the land at the Center had been sold to a developer.

The good news is that we were given a substantial amount of time to move.  Over a year's time we raised $1 million in cash and pledges toward our goal of $2 million.  These funds allowed us to close on a 35,000 square foot building in Hauppauge.  The purchase was reported in The Smithtown Messenger.

On October 15, 2002, Long Island Cares opened for business in the new facility, as reported in Newsday.  This beautiful, centrally located facility has greatly expanded our ability to serve Long Islanders in need.  The building itself was named The Harry Chapin Food Bank at Long Island Cares in honor of its founder and his commitments.  Harry would have been proud of this place.

We still need to raise the rest of the money to pay for the building and necessary improvements.  The first $1 million came from less than fifty gifts, virtually all from individuals.  We realize that it will require substantially more gifts of smaller amounts to raise the next $1 million. 

So, now we are reaching out to the general public to help us reach our goal.  The Harry Chapin: A Celebration in Song concert in October 2001 marked the beginning of the public phase of our Capital Campaign.  What a night that was . . . 

The campaign continues, as does Harry's Memory, Message, and Mission.

Will you help us?  Contributions of any amount toward the cost of our new building are gratefully accepted.  Please click the Donate Now button and enter "Capital Campaign" as the designation of your gift.  To view our Capital Campaign brochure, please click the link below.  Thank you.