Long Island Cares Acquires Hauppauge Building

THE SMITHTOWN MESSENGER

July 11, 2002

Long Island Cares, the food bank established by the late singer, songwriter, and activist Harry Chapin in 1980 to feed Long Island's poor and needy population, realized a long-held dream when it recently closed on a building in Hauppauge.  Now under renovation, the 35,000 square foot facility will greatly expand the organization's abilities to serve Long Islanders in need. 

Upon its opening this fall, the building will be named the Harry Chapin Food Bank at Long Island Cares in honor of its founder and his commitments.  Sandy Chapin, who shares her late husband's commitment to eradicating hunger on Long Island, is the chairman of Long Island Cares' board of trustees.

Since the acquisition of the Hauppauge building will mark the first time that Long Island Cares will own its own facilities, the organization's executive director, Lynn Needelman, said: "This is a very exciting time for Long Island Cares.  After more than 20 years, we will have the space we need to do the job Harry outlined for us and we will also have the ability to properly acknowledge our founder and spiritual guide, Harry Chapin."  Don A. Corrao, president of the board of trustees, also cited the advantages of the expanded facilities: "We have come very far in our 20-year history.  This building will take us to the next step in serving the needs of the Long Island community."