By Dana Williams
The trailer, officials said, will enable the organization — whose mission is to end hunger and reduce food waste on the Island — to transport perishable foods more expeditiously, and expand its efforts to help those in need.
The trailer was funded with an $80,000 grant secured by New York state Sen. John J. Flanagan (R,C-East Northport) earlier this year. “Island Harvest is such a vital piece of our collective fight against hunger on Long Island, and I’m always glad to play a small role in their efforts,” Flanagan said in a statement. “This truck will help them help others and, right now, that role is essential to our region. While I am honored by [Island Harvest’s] appreciation of my efforts on [its] behalf, it is the volunteers and staff of this wonderful organization that deserve our thanks and support.”
With the holiday season approaching, the trailer’s arrival comes at an opportune time. The organization has begun its annual Turkey and Trimmings Collection Campaign, an initiative that encourages the donation of turkeys, turkey coupons and trimmings for needy families during the holidays — and the trailer will allow Island Harvest to store hundreds of frozen turkeys. The campaign runs until Dec. 24.
“The great thing about this trailer is that it will allow us to pick up more product at one time, and it’s refrigerated, so we can store products in the trailer,” explained Randi Shubin Dresner, president and CEO of Island Harvest. “The trailer is cost-efficient ... and it’s really going to enable Island Harvest to get more food to those in need on Long Island.”
Since its founding in 1992, Island Harvest has aimed to serve as “the bridge between those who have surplus food and those who need it,” according to its Web site. The organization, Shubin Dresner said, consists of more than 1,000 volunteers who pick up and distribute food to nearly 600 soup kitchens, food pantries and other places that provide people with access to food. Using the organization’s fleet of seven trucks and vans, members collect food from businesses including restaurants, supermarkets, caterers and farms, with the hope that they can also increase awareness of the fight against hunger.
“We know the more families that Island Harvest is able to help, the more educated people can become about the issue of hunger,” Shubin Dresner said. “We’re always looking for donations and volunteers ... and with everything that is going on in our economy right now, our organization is really helping to touch the lives of others.”
For more information about Island Harvest, go to islandharvest.org.
