Membership to Long Island Cares is open to community-based programs providing meals or food packages such as food pantries, soup kitchens, senior centers, shelters, day care centers and rehabilitation programs.
Running a food program is a big responsibility. It requires a major commitment of time, funds and energy. To become a member of the Long Island Cares network, your organization must be an established food program or distributor that:
- Has been in operation for a period of at least three (3) months and serving clients a minimum of once a month.
- Is a tax-exempt organization as described in the 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service of the U.S. Treasury Department. A copy of your organization’s 501(c)(3) must be provided.
- Is located in a “community of need” or serves a special-needs population.
- Does not operate out of a personal residence.
- Does not share space with programs from other organizations. Your storage area holds only those items issued for the use of your organization.
- Does not and will not sell, transfer or barter items. (Transfer includes the removal of any food bank-delivered product from the approved site to any other location.)
- Provides food free to all clients. Clients are not asked for donations or requested to participate in religious services to receive food.
- Does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious beliefs, age, disabilities, limited English language proficiency, sex or sexual preference.
- Keeps records of the number of people served and inventory-control records to monitor the food product. Proof of these records must be shown before membership is granted.
- Maintains high standards of sanitation and food safety with regard to food storage, distribution and meal preparation.
- Is willing to have its site(s) visited as needed by a representative of the food bank.
- Agrees to place an order for food within the first three months of membership or forfeits its membership. Your food program must place orders for food at least once every three months thereafter or risk inactivation of your participation.
- Agrees to complete meal-count reports on a monthly basis and submit to the food bank for purposes of reporting.
- Agrees to provide the food bank with necessary information regarding any change in program/administrative location, primary staffing, structure, etc. in a timely manner.
- Practices active means of encouraging participation and utilization of your services to all segments of the community (e.g.: outreach, flyers, etc.).
- Maintains sufficient storage space to receive product.
- Will have appropriate personnel present at your delivery location on the days of scheduled deliveries to receive products from the food bank.
If you are interested in becoming a member agency, please contact Sonia Perez or call 631-582-FOOD (3663) ext. 110.
Not ready to become a member agency? Consider partnering with agencies that are already distributing food in your community by providing volunteer or financial support to help them expand their hours or the number of people they serve.