Long Islanders donated the equivalent of 31,148 meals through PSEG Long Island’s Power to Feed Long Island initiative this year, supporting neighbors facing food insecurity, according to the utility and Island Harvest Food Bank.
Eight collection events held at Stop & Shop stores from June through September brought in $7,360 in monetary donations and 16,427 pounds of nonperishable food and supplies. Collections took place in at stores across Long Island.
Island Harvest distributes the donated items to local food pantries, soup kitchens and nourishment programs. Since the initiative began in 2021, donations have provided the equivalent of nearly 185,000 meals, according to the organizations.
PSEG Long Island launched the program during the coronavirus pandemic to raise awareness of food insecurity and provide convenient locations for residents to donate food, personal care items and pet food.
The summer collections have continued to address seasonal challenges. Donations typically decline as residents take vacations and fewer collection drives take place, while children lose access to school-provided meals during summer break. Inflation and rising food costs also place additional pressure on families, the organizations said.
“Food insecurity continues to impact many Long Island families and PSEG Long Island is proud to partner with Island Harvest in its critical mission to help our neighbors in need,” said Lou DeBrino, the utility’s vice president of customer operations and an Island Harvest board member.
DeBrino also thanked employees who donated and volunteered, along with residents who contributed.
Randi Shubin Dresner, Island Harvest’s president and chief exectuive, said the partnership helps address a continuing need.
“Its annual Power to Feed Long Island collection event helps provide the extra food support needed to keep local pantry shelves stocked during the summer,” she said.
Daniel Wolk, Stop & Shop’s external communications manager, credited customers and employees for supporting the collections.
“Across eight Stop & Shop stores on Long Island, their generosity helped provide more than 31,000 meals for neighbors experiencing food insecurity,” Wolk said.
At each event, PSEG Long Island provided shoppers with reusable bags and gave donors free LED lightbulbs. Utility representatives also shared information about financial assistance programs and energy efficiency options.
Online monetary donations can be made at PSEGLINY.com/FeedLI. Island Harvest estimates that every $5 donated provides the equivalent of 10 meals.
