I Know You're Scared,
and So Are We

May 12| Isabelle Panza

If you’re worried about the direction things are going, we don’t blame you. We’re worried too. 

Inflation is stretching everyone thin. The stock market is unpredictable. And every day, it feels like the cost of living gets harder to manage—not just for the families who rely on us for food, but for the people like you who want to help. 

At Long Island Cares, we’ve weathered many storms in our 45-year history. But right now, we’re facing one of the most difficult chapters we’ve ever seen. 

Just this month, the USDA cancelled a scheduled shipment of 250,000 pounds of food to our warehouse—with no explanation. That’s not a delay. That’s a vanishing act—and a devastating one. 

On top of that, the Government recently announced they will not renew the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement—a federal program that provided $420 million to support food banks across the country. Here in our community, Long Island Cares and Island Harvest together received $2.6 million through that program—funding that helped both our organizations purchase 2.4 million pounds of food. 

When that funding disappears, so does the food. And we’re being hit from every direction: 

• Rising Food Costs: The price of food continues to climb, making it more expensive for us to procure items. 

• Decreased Government Support: Federal funding cuts are reducing our capacity to serve the community. 

• Reduced Donor Contributions: Economic volatility, including stock market fluctuations, has led to a decline in donations. We understand. When times are uncertain, it’s hard to feel confident about giving. But the truth is, every single gift matters more now than ever before. 

This isn’t just a funding issue—it’s a food issue. A family dinner issue. A kids-going-to-school-hungry issue. 

It’s the mom in Islip who comes to our pantry after her shift at the diner, hoping there’s still cereal left for her two sons. It’s the senior in Freeport who quietly asks if there’s any fresh produce, because she can’t remember the last time she tasted fresh fruit. It’s the child in Brentwood who starts the school day with an empty stomach, trying to focus through hunger pangs. 

When we lose funding, we lose the ability to show up for them. 

This is about school lunches that don’t stretch far enough. About families forced to water down meals or skip them entirely. About people doing everything right—working, budgeting, sacrificing—and still needing help to get through the week.  

We’re scared because we know what happens when food banks fall short. But we also know what this community is capable of. 

You’ve shown up before. And we believe you will again. 

If you’ve ever thought your donation wouldn’t make a dent—please know, right now, it could make the difference between a pantry staying open or closing. Between a child going to bed hungry or fed. 

So yes—we’re scared. But we still believe in the power of people to step up and push back. 

We hope you’ll stand with us.