Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Sharon’s Pantry at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center helps provide food to more than 115 families in need throughout the community. Open year round, the pantry relies on the generosity of others who donate food or money to help keep its shelves stocked.
In an effort to help support the pantry, Nassau County Legislator Scott Davis in coordination with Associated Supermarket and Island Harvest hosted a food drive on Sept. 29 in observation of Hunger Action Month. With their support, and the support of residents, Davis said the food drive collected 650 pounds of food to donate to the pantry.
“Most of it was just people walking in and coming out with something (to donate),” Davis said.
Its success was largely thanks to the support from individual shoppers and local organizations including the Lions Club of Rockville Centre, Rabbi David Lerner of Temple B’nai Sholom Beth David, Rabbi Michael Cohen of Central Synagogue Beth Emeth, Greystone Deli, the Cassidy family, Kookaburra Coffee, Gino’s Pizza, Ace Hardware and others.
"We are all better when we work together, and the outpouring of support we witnessed for Sharon's Pantry beautifully illustrates the true spirit of Rockville Centre," Davis said. "Your generosity will go a long way toward supporting Sharon's Pantry as it pursues its mission, and I am thankful to Associated for hosting us, Island Harvest for
making this possible, the Rockville Centre Public Library for joining us, and all of the community members who took the time to support a good
cause."
Sharon’s Pantry, named after the MLK Center’s Assistant Director, Sharon Sheppard, is dedicated to helping local residents faced with food insecurity. It was founded in the spring of 2020 in partnership with the Anti-Racism Project.
Food donations are often provided by community organizations, including the National Council of Jewish Women, Rockville Centre Boy Scout Troop 40, Temple B’Nai Sholom-Beth David, Sons of a Butcher in Oceanside, and the Sisterhood of Central Synagogue-Beth Emeth, which provides $300 worth of cereal each month. Produce is provided at cost by Fruit Tree Farms. Island Harvest also supports the food pantry, especially during the holiday season, when it is busiest.
“We’re going to continue to do things in the future to provide donations,” Davis said, which includes collections at other events throughout the legislative district as well as future food drives.
Sharon’s Pantry is open Friday mornings from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, 150 North Centre Ave. in Rockville Centre.
Anyone interested in donating food can drop off items at the MLK Community Center on Friday mornings while the pantry is open. Monetary donations are also accepted. They can be sent by check to the Anti-Racism Project, 30 Seaman Ave. in Rockville Centre or electronically via Zelle at AntiRacismProjectLI@Gmail.com
