Thursday, October 1, 2026
As Long Island prepares to mark Harry Chapin Day on July 16, the singer-songwriter's legacy extends far beyond his music.
More than four decades after he tried to combat hunger by founding Long Island Cares in 1980, the need for food assistance continues to grow, including at the organization's Freeport pantry.
The recent increase in demand underscores the continued relevance of Chapin's mission at a time when nearly 314,000 Long Islanders struggle to access food. While Nassau County is often viewed as an affluent community, staff members at the Freeport pantry said the need for assistance continues to be prevalent for families fighting to stay afloat amid local and national economic concerns.
“For Harry Chapin Day, Long Island Cares will host a special food distribution in Brookhaven,” Reyna Felix, a senior program coordinator at Long Island Cares who also oversees the Freeport branch, told the Herald. “We also are going to be celebrating all across the organization with a few drop off giveaways, some surprises for our neighbors.”
Felix added that celebrating Harry Chapin Day is great for honoring his legacy on Long Island and continuing to work hard towards combating local hunger. She also explained that the summer is an important time to continue food distribution because children are out of school.
“We have a lot of work to continue,” she said. “Families still need our assistance. It is increasing, especially now because school is over, and right now we have challenges in families when the kids are home and they don’t have maybe a snack or something to take. Our numbers always around this time go up.”
Food drives, direct food donations and financial contributions help keep pantry shelves stocked throughout the year. The pantry accepts canned goods, pasta, condiments, cooking aids, snacks, dairy products and other food donations, while fresh fruits and vegetables are also welcomed when available.
That community support once again will be on display on July 19, when musician Stuart Markus presents his annual "Just Wild About Harry" tribute concert at Heckscher Park in Huntington, the town where Chapin settled in as an adult. The concert, held every year since 2004, brings together Long Island musicians to perform songs written by Chapin and to collect food and financial donations for Long Island Cares.
Long Island Cares has been a beneficiary of the event since it began, as fighting hunger was central to Chapin's life's work.
“He just felt it was absolutely, I think the word he used was, ‘obscene,’” Markus said, “that, in one of the wealthiest nations in the world, so many people should still be struggling to put food on the table. So, he dedicated his life to fighting hunger.”
He expressed belief that Chapin's music continues to resonate because of its storytelling and because Long Islanders remember him not only as a successful songwriter but also as someone committed to helping others.
Markus said Chapin would likely be frustrated that hunger remains such a persistent problem more than 40 years after his death, particularly in a region widely regarded as one of the wealthiest in New York.
Felix said that those who have excess food and are able to donate any kinds should stop by Long Island Cares’ Freeport food bank on East sunrise Highway.
“If they are not in the situation that they need the food, they definitely are in the situation that they can contribute it,” Felix said. “They can donate food, perishable, non-perishable, items that they know that the kids who are out of school will need. …They can also donate time, which is volunteering. During the summer, I have a lot of open slots, …and I invite the community to (volunteer) if they want to feel like they to do something successful for the community.”
