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How to lend a helping hand
Part five of an occasional series about the challenges people face making ends meet in Nassau County.
Imagine being a recent immigrant without access to much, a senior citizen on a fixed income forced to count every penny or anyone who has recently endured a major trauma. These are the people who rely on others for help at food pantries across Nassau County.
Nassau is the 13th wealthiest county in the United States, but according to the 2014 New York State Community Action Association Poverty Report, some 83,867 people live in poverty in the county.
Many food pantries experience their greatest need around the holidays. There are hundreds of food pantries in Nassau, with many concentrated in Hempstead.
Island Harvest
One organization that makes a difference, without serving people directly in its facility, is Island Harvest, which has headquarters at 199 Second St. in Mineola. The group collects food for distribution to 570 member agencies across Long Island, according to Joan Flynn, the group’s volunteer and community relations manager.
Island Harvest also directly serves older adults in need through its Senior Mobile Food Pantry, which is stocked with rice, canned protein, pasta and breakfast items, as well as fresh vegetables, fruits, bread, meat and poultry. Island Harvest schedules regular weekly distributions to “clients” in low-income neighborhoods or senior housing developments.
Island Harvest also sponsors Operation: Hope. “This organization gives food to military families in need,” Murray said. The group distributes food twice a week. It needs volunteers to help with deliveries.
Island Harvest accepts donations of food at its community drop-off sties, including Panera, Roslyn Savings Bank and McDonald’s. Flynn said that donors can also drop off food at Island Harvest’s two warehouses, at 875 Jerusalem Ave. in Uniondale and 40 Marcus Blvd. in Hauppauge.
“Until Dec. 30, you can drop off turkeys and non-perishable food items at all Long Island Panera and Long Island Bristal Assisted living locations,” Flynn explained. “McDonald’s, Roslyn Savings Bank and Nassau County Police Department locations will only take non-perishable food.”
