M.O.R.E.
VAN INFORMATION
In March 2010, Long Island Cares partnered with the Richard K. Mellon Family
Foundation and unveiled our first Mobile Outreach Resource Enterprise (M.O.R.E.)
Unit. The M.O.R.E. Van is an innovative program — the first of its kind
for any Food Bank in the Feeding America Network — that was created to enhance
and supplement the services provided by Long Island Cares to our member agency
network.
The M.O.R.E. Van travels throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties
providing information, referral assistance, and emergency food to people at
times when their neighborhood pantries are not open — in user friendly locations
such as libraries, parks and shopping centers bringing more food and resources
to people in need. The M.O.R.E. Van is a custom-converted vehicle that's
equipped with a food pantry able to store approximately 500 pounds of basic
staple food items. In addition, the vehicle has been designed to include
information racks of materials, a television monitor and DVD player, comfortable
seating, and a work desk.
With all of the positive publicity surrounding the debut of the M.O.R.E. Van,
Long Island Cares was approached by NBTY Helping Hands Charity with a proposal
to create another Mobile Outreach Resource Enterprise. Named “Hope for the
Homeless,” this second M.O.R.E. van, sponsored by NBTY, was created in July
2010. Recognizing the immediate need for services to support the
often “invisible” homeless population, the “Hope For The Homeless” M.O.R.E. Van
focuses on the specific needs of the homeless providing housing information,
housing referrals, ready-to-eat emergency food, and personal hygiene items.
Long
Island Cares and NBTY Helping Hands Charity roll out
