Donate to Long Island Cares and help feed your neighbors in need. Contribute what you can, all donations are welcome
Who We Are
Our Mission
Founded by the late Harry Chapin
Long Island Cares – The Harry Chapin Regional Food Bank has been on a mission to feed Long Islanders facing food insecurity and address its root causes since our founding by the late Harry Chapin in 1980.
News & Stories
Get to Know Us
News
Get the latest updates from Long Island Cares on our events, activities in the community, and many others.
Heroes Don’t Wear Capes. They Pack Boxes.
July 16 | Isabelle Panza
At Long Island Cares, we’ve met hundreds of heroes.
They don’t have theme music. They don’t wear capes. They definitely don’t fly.
They carry grocery bags.
They match donations.They show up—week after week—to help someone they’ll never meet.
Like Byron.
Every Friday, Byron takes an Uber to our Hauppauge warehouse. He’s legally blind, but he
refuses to let that stop him. He spends hours sorting donations and packing food boxes for
seniors, veterans, and families.
refuses to let that stop him. He spends hours sorting donations and packing food boxes for
seniors, veterans, and families.
“If my eyes weren’t failing me,” he says, “I’d be here four days a week.”
His favorite program? The Mobile Pantry that brings groceries straight to homebound older
adults.
“I’m in the twilight years myself,” he says. “Whatever I can do to help—I do.”
Or Rich, who runs Momo’s Sports Bar and Grill in Bay Shore.
Rich launched a simple campaign: for every gift card a customer bought, he’d match it.
The goal was to raise $4,000 in a month. They hit it in two weeks.
That money funded trays of hot meals—pasta, pepperoni rolls, chicken and rice—for three
of our partner agencies. For families who can’t afford takeout, and whose SNAP
benefits don’t cover hot food, those meals meant a rare night of comfort and ease.
Then there’s Tri CYA.
In Huntington Station, this youth center—one of our incredible Member Agencies—is
helping kids stay focused, stay active, and stay out of trouble.
helping kids stay focused, stay active, and stay out of trouble.
They offer tutoring, art, boxing, music lessons, and meals.
They run anti-gang programs.
They help families fill their cabinets with food, backpacks, and essentials—no questions
asked.
One of their students arrived in 11th grade speaking no English. By senior year, he was taking AP English. Today? He’s studying medicine.
That’s what being a hero looks like on Long Island.
Not flashy. Not loud. Just consistent.
- You can be one, too.
- Sort food in our warehouse.
- Volunteer at a pantry.
- Host a drive at work or school.
- Donate once—or every month.
- Be the person who shows up when it matters.
We’re seeing more need than ever this summer—especially among working families and
older adults. But we’re also seeing people rise to meet it.
older adults. But we’re also seeing people rise to meet it.
Now we’re inviting you to join them.
Be a hero. No cape required. Just heart, and a little time.