Advocating for Hunger Relief and Food Security

Learn how Long Island Cares fights for policies that
protect SNAP, Medicaid, and access to nutritious food for every family.

Advocating for Hunger Relief on Long Island

The Big Beautiful Bill and Tariffs: What’s at Stake

The recently passed Big Beautiful Bill and ongoing tariff increases pose serious challenges to hunger relief efforts across the country. Cuts to SNAP benefits and Medicaid funding, along with rising food prices from new tariffs, mean that millions of families face greater food insecurity.

At Long Island Cares, we are committed to raising awareness, advocating for fair policies, and protecting access to essential nutrition and healthcare programs.

Learn More About the Big Beautiful Bill
Learn More About Tariffs and Food Prices

About the Chapin Center for Public Policy

The Chapin Center for Public Policy is the advocacy arm of Long Island Cares. While food banks play a critical role in meeting immediate needs, ending hunger requires systemic change. Our advocacy focuses on long-term public policy solutions that address the root causes of hunger at the local, state, and federal levels.

Our Advocacy Priorities

Legislative Action

We mobilize our staff, board of directors, partner agencies, and clients to take action on hunger and self-sufficiency. This includes:

Advocacy campaigns – letters, petitions, and calls to legislators.
Legislative testimony – sharing real stories and data to influence policy.
Public policy committees – participating in coalitions and task forces focused on hunger relief.

Education and Awareness

Every day, we see the impact of food insecurity on Long Island families. We use our platform to shine a light on hidden hunger and build public support for sustainable change. Our efforts include:

Writing op-eds and guest columns in local newspapers.
Publishing regular updates on social media and our website.
Hosting advocacy training sessions to empower network partners and clients to speak out.

Long Island Cares 2026 Legislative Priorities

We advocate for policies that:

Protect and strengthen federal and state nutrition programs.
Support local food systems and invest in farmers and regional food distribution.
Advance solutions that promote economic stability and long-term food security.

2026 Long Island Cares Legislative Agenda PDF

Special Events

The Chapin Center hosts and participates in events that bring the community and lawmakers together to discuss hunger relief solutions. Highlights include:

The Annual Legislative Breakfast at our warehouse.
Participation in the Feeding America’s Anti-Hunger Policy Conference.
Hosting roundtables with legislators, community leaders, and advocates.
Press conferences to generate awareness of urgent legislative issues.

Get Involved

Hunger is a solvable problem—but it requires all of us.
To join us in the fight against hunger on Long Island and make a difference in the lives of your neighbors, contact:
Michael W. Haynes, Vice President of Government Relations, Advocacy, and Social Policy.
Call 631-582-3663 ext. 202