LONG ISLAND CARES, INC. RECEIVES $50,000 GRANT THROUGH NEWSDAY CHARITIES

Long Island Cares, Inc., The Harry Chapin Food Bank recently received a $50,000 grant through Newsday Charities, a McCormick Foundation Fund. The grant will support the operations of the regional food bank’s Mobile School Pantry program that provides emergency food to children and families in the Brentwood Union Free School District at times when school is not in session.  Since the start of the current school year this past September, Long Island Cares’ Mobile School Pantry has provided emergency food for 774 families including meals for 1,820 children.
“Our Mobile School Pantry was implemented with the full cooperation of administrators and teachers in the Brentwood Union Free School District,” said Dr. Jessica Rosati, Chief Program Officer for Long Island Cares. “The Mobile School Pantry visits seven of the eleven elementary schools in the Brentwood community once a month during the week to provide food and supplies to families in need.  Brentwood staff support has joined Long Island Cares staff and volunteers to support the effort.  In the warmer months, we are joined by the food bank’s mascot, AsparaGus the Friendly Dragon who makes our visit quite exciting for the children.”
According to Robin Amato, Chief Development Officer for Long Island Cares, “Our Mobile School Pantry was started in 2013 with corporate donations. Since then, the program continues to rely upon private donations to maintain the services we provide in Brentwood.  We’re delighted that the Newsday Charities, a McCormick Foundation Fund continues to recognize the issue of children’s food insecurity and hunger as a major focus for their generous funding support.  The number of children that face high food insecurity on Long Island has increased to 89,000.  Because of the support provided by Newsday Charities, we’re able to continue to provide critical programs like the Mobile School Pantry to children and their families.  This program gives them additional access to healthy foods in a place where they feel comfortable and safe.”
For more information about the Mobile School Pantry and other programs provided by Long Island Cares visit www.licares.org or call (631) 582.FOOD.