It’s been a little over a year since the Long Island Cares Harry Chapin Regional Food Bank satellite emergency food distribution center in Hampton Bays began serving the East End.
Prior to the opening, the team had plans to celebrate with a big ribbon cutting in the parking lot, along with a band performing and community members in attendance, marking the opening of the latest satellite location on Long Island. Then Covid-19 hit. Not only were plans halted, but also food insecurity on the East End increased in a way no one could have ever imagined.
Many of the residents on the East End who work in seasonal positions and industries like hospitality, agricultural, and trade, were negatively impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, and suffered furloughs, layoffs, and job losses.
“In the last year I’ve seen firsthand how the pandemic has affected so many people on this Island and especially on the East End,” said Liliane Leonardo, the program coordinator for Hampton Bays. “With job losses, school closings, and sickness affecting so many people, our clients tell me often how thankful they are that we opened during such unprecedented times.”
Long Island Cares, founded by the late Harry Chapin, brings together all available resources for the benefit of the hungry and food insecure on Long Island. The goal is to improve food security for families, sponsor programs that help families achieve self-sufficiency, and educate the general public about the causes and consequences of hunger on Long Island.
“We have volunteers who come in on a regular basis to help serve the public,” said Paule Pachter, the CEO of Long Island Cares. Those who need, receive everything from emergency items to fresh produce — bread, personal care products, chicken, milk, and diapers. The center also features a First Stop Triage Pantry and Baxter’s Pet Pantry.
The food bank’s set up is similar to the aisles of a grocery store. “When it’s not Covid, people can come in, they can walk the aisle, they choose whatever food they want,” said Pachter.
On Tuesdays the satellites are open only to veterans, military personnel, and their families, as part of a program that was started 10 years ago.
“We’re really pleased with Hampton Bays and what we’ve been able to create here,” said Pachter.
According to Pachter, it was estimated that there were 259,000 food insecure people on Long Island prior to the pandemic. “We’ve seen an additional 280,000 people who’ve turned to Long Island Cares,” he said.
“At the height of the pandemic, we were seeing maybe 15,000 new people a month,” said Pachter. “Now we’re seeing about 5,000 new people a month. So I anticipate that by the end of the summer, we’ll be back to where we were, pre-Covid.”
Harry Chapin founded the organization 41 years ago, a year before he died. His focus, said Pachter, “was really to look at the root causes of hunger.”
Looking at that root cause, in many cases, food insecurity comes from unemployment, underemployment, immigration, and illness. “And that’s what he wanted us to focus on. So in addition to providing emergency food for people in need, we provide career counseling for veterans and for single headed households, we provide job placement for the same population. We have placed over 255 veterans in employment in the last five years.”
A small team may run the satellite, but it takes a village to do what they do.
“All of our volunteers that give time and talent at the satellite programs live in the community that the satellite program exists,” said Pachter. “They also donate food on a regular basis. Some people write checks, but, the community has really embraced the idea of Long Island Cares.”
Along with donations from the community and beyond, Bank of America has been vital in creating the satellite center. A $500,000 grant from Bank of America was awarded in January 2020 to help establish the Hampton Bays location.
Long Island Cares also helps supply smaller agencies within the community who are also providing food. “I think the agencies that we work with on the East End are pleased that we’re here,” said Pachter. “We were able to provide them with extra support during Covid, which was important because they did see significant spikes.”
Long Island Cares has been operating in emergency response mode since the onset of the pandemic, and they continue to do so given the 66 percent increase in food insecurity seen on Long Island since the start of the pandemic. Last year the foundation cancelled all special events so that staff and volunteers could respond to the emergency food needs.
“It’s time to recognize and celebrate all that we’ve accomplished during the past fourteen months including commemorating our 40th Anniversary,” said Pachter.
The Harry Chapin Food Bank will host its first virtual fundraising event on Wednesday, June 2, from 6 to 7 PM. The hour-long event will include a three-course dinner provided by Lessing’s Hospitality Group, as well as party boxes delivered right to your door. Feeding America’s CEO, Claire Babineaux-Fontenot will give opening remarks. Tickets start at $35.
