May 17 | Isabelle Panza
At Long Island Cares, we understand that life can change in an instant, abruptly putting individuals and families into a state of food insecurity. Crisis, as described by Oxford Languages, is “a time of intense difficulty, trouble, or danger.” For many, these difficulties are not fleeting but have enduring repercussions that can last for years.
At our First-Stop Food Pantries, we see the struggle of new mothers who, after losing their jobs, find themselves in the heart-wrenching position of having to choose between buying diapers or formula. There’s the plight of veterans like Joan and Ken, grappling with the staggering costs of Parkinson’s medications amid skyrocketing food prices. And then there’s Tom, a man whose life was forever altered by a split-second accident—a bus hitting him that left him with a broken back. Tom’s now reliant now on government checks because of his injuries.
These individuals are the faces of crisis—ordinary people unexpectedly put into extraordinary circumstances. They did not anticipate these challenges, yet they are forced to bear the weight of the consequences. At Long Island Cares, we stand in solidarity with these families through every crisis they face.
Thanks to your generosity through donations and volunteerism, families no longer have to make the agonizing choice between putting food on the table or affording essential medications. Mothers can find solace in knowing that their child can have diapers and formula. And children can simply be children.
Your support is not just a lifeline, it’s hope for a more secure future. Together, we can ensure that no one in our community faces the harsh realities of food insecurity alone.