Sunday, January 12, 2025
The holiday season is a time for reflection and paying forward our blessings — and I believe that is important to demonstrate charity and compassion for the most vulnerable members of our society.
In the practice of my own Catholic faith, Paul’s words to the Ephesian elders in Acts 20:35 ring especially true at this time of year:
“In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
Paired with my professional background as a social worker, this focus on helping families and individuals emerge from periods of struggle has guided my approach to serving in the Nassau County Legislature. Most recently, it informed my advocacy for American Rescue Plan Act grants for our district — and thanks to the unity demonstrated by my colleagues in the Legislature’s Democratic minority, our districts received their fair share of this once-in-a-generation influx of federal aid.
A good number of the grants that have been approved or will be finalized by the end of the year focus on grass-roots organizations in our communities that fight hunger. In Baldwin, my office secured $50,000 for the food pantry at the Roman Catholic Church of St. Christopher, which is sure to tremendously amplify the church’s ability to deliver vital nutritional assistance to the families it serves.
In Freeport, I worked alongside my colleague Legislator Seth Koslow to secure $22,348 for Ladles of Hope, a nonprofit organization based in Our Holy Redeemer Roman Catholic Church. It is fully volunteer-based, operates entirely on private donations, and serves individuals and families in need in Nassau County at soup kitchens and pantries.
Another wonderful organization that my office has secured ARPA funding for is the NEST at Nassau Community College. Short for Nassau: Empowerment and Support for Tomorrow, the NEST is a nonprofit that operates a free-choice food pantry that offers food, personal care items and support services to students, employees and families in need. It has been approved for a $10,000 grant for its philanthropic efforts to promote health and wellness in the college community.
To further amplify these efforts, my office has extended our Thanksgiving food drive for the NEST until Dec. 18. If you would like to make a contribution to support its efforts, please visit the Roosevelt Public Library (27 W. Fulton Ave. in Roosevelt), the Freeport Memorial Library (144 W. Merrick Road in Freeport), or South Hempstead Fire Department headquarters (555 May St. in South Hempstead) during normal business hours.
Across the county, I am gratified to see how my colleagues have taken up the fight to end food insecurity and are on track to secure vital resources for regional and local entities alike. Most important, it will equip these organizations to continue their efforts into the new year, well after the generous proceeds of Thanksgiving and holiday season food drives leave the shelves of food pantries.
That is perhaps the most important message of all in this conversation. As we come to the end of 2024 and take stock of our lives, may we all resolve to make our own personal commitment to joining this fight not just during the holiday season, but all year long, so that we can collectively position everyone in our society to thrive.
Whether you support the regional efforts of Long Island Cares or Island Harvest, major events such as the biannual Nassau County Veterans Stand Down, at the Freeport Armory, or the food ministry at your local church, every contribution will make a positive impact on the life of one of your neighbors in their hour of need.
I wish you and your families a blessed holiday season and peace in a joyful, prosperous new year.
Debra Mulé represents Nassau County’s 6th Legislative District.
