First to step up with a helping hand were the Long Island Builders Institute, many of its members, and several local electrical contractors and unions. Now, Long Island Cares, Inc. The Harry Chapin Food Bank is delivering more than 30,000 pounds of food to the Miraculous Medal Church in Wyandanch.
After a recent fire destroyed the church's outreach center, which provides food and clothing to needy families and individuals, LIBI and several local businesses, contractors and unions helped install a temporary storage facility and upgraded the center's electrical service. But the fire also destroyed the substantial food supply the church had gathered.
Since the church supplies nearly 1,000 families each month with food and clothing, Long Island Cares executive director Lynn Needelman said the need for another group to step up was obvious. "We immediately offered our support as soon as they were ready to receive donations again,” Needeleman said. "We have worked with the church’s outreach program for over 20 years and are very happy that things are moving quickly back to normal."
Deliveries are scheduled for Saturday morning, according to Long Island Cares. Pallets of juice, pancake mix, rice, canned meats and fish and canned vegetables are on the menu. The food delivery means the church's Gerald Ryan Outreach Center should be up and running some time next week.
Long Island Cares, Inc., The Harry Chapin Food Bank was founded by the late singer activist in 1980 and is Long Island’s only food bank, distributing almost five million pounds of food to over 600 emergency food programs across Long Island. For more information call (631) 582-FOOD or visit www.licares.org.