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A Few Clouds Helping through the holidays and into the New Year
Oceanside Community Service lends a helping hand
What's going on at Oceanside Community Service
For the past 60 years, Oceanside Community Service has been working as a coordinating agency and clearing house for Oceansiders in need, working with a variety of organizations and volunteers in the local community to provide assistance.
Since 1949, OCS has provided outreach services to the community, acting as a liaison to numerous county agencies. In addition to visiting the elderly, homebound and disadvantaged to determine their needs, OCS has also worked to direct individuals and families to the proper agencies for legal and family counseling. OCS maintains a list of families in need of clothing, medical assistance, food or fuel, and works to help supply those items or find an agency that can to those in need.
OCS has also created its own food pantry, in addition to supplying food to other pantries in the community. In late 2008, OCS established an outgoing food pantry at Oceanside School No. 6. The school district provided basement space to the organization, and shelving, a freezer, and a refrigerator were acquired through the state.
The pantry opened with limited service in 2009, and service expanded each month. OHS students assist with deliveries and pantry administration by sorting food donated to and purchased for the pantry. Food donations can be made through school food drives or monetary donations to OCS, P.O. Box 203, Oceanside, NY 11572.
Clients do not pick up their food at the pantry. After being pre-qualified for a home visit, they can call 208-5991 to receive food delivery, usually within five days. Cash cards are also provided for fresh meat, vegetables, and produce.
What you can do to help
OCS is working hard to continue its “60 Years of Service” community fundraising campaign to fund the food pantry and provide year-round assistance to families in the community who have fallen on hard times. OCS can provide assistance with rent, utilities, medicine and other basic needs, or point people to the appropriate agency when the need is beyond OCS’s means.
