Donations sought for Rockville Centre food pantry

Families in Rockville Centre have been hit hard by the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic, and the need for support is increasing by the week. As people who have been laid off due to the closure of nonessential businesses and social distancing measures struggle to feed their families, several organizations — with the help of village residents — have stepped up to provide support. Every week, the Martin Luther King Jr. Center opens a food pantry for several hours, and the number of families visiting it has doubled since it first opened last month.

The food program is run by Sharon Sheppard, assistant director of the MLK Center. She said when it opened, it served about 20 families a week, but it keeps growning each week.

Seeing the increasing demand, The Anti-Racism Project and Sisterhood of Central Synagogue-Beth Emeth began working together to maintain a coordinated effort in order to supply poultry, meats and produce to those receiving support through the MLK Center. Rena Riback, co-administrator of The Anti-Racism Project and a member of the Sisterhood, received permission to bring items from the food pantry housed at the synagogue, which has been closed, to the MLK Center. Then she contacted the board, and they joined forces to raise funds and purchase perishable items on a weekly basis.

The first week, Riback said, they raised $300, which was enough to purchase meat, poultry and produce for 22 families. But, “the need has increased every week,” Riback said. There are now more than 40 families visiting the pantry, which means they need to raise about $700 per week. To date, she estimates they have enough for the next four to five weeks.

The two groups are raising funds together, and purchasing meat from Sons of a Butcher in Oceanside, which packages the meat individually for families and delivers it directly to the MLK Center every Friday. A member of the Sisterhood makes a trip to Restaurant Depot to purchase produce from Restaurant Depot each week. Two volunteers pick up groceries from people’s front steps and bring them to the center. Last week, RVC Associated donated milk and eggs, and State Sen. Todd Kaminsky donated face masks to the volunteers at the center. Additionally, Riback said, Monaghan’s Bar and Restaurant provides 22 meals each week to families through the MLK Center; those interested can donate $10 to the restaurant, and anything left over will go towards covering the cost of meals for front-line workers.

“It’s very heartwarming to see how people are responding and how the community has really come together,” Riback said. “I’m hoping the relationship continues growing, and that we can continue to provide for the families for as long as is needed.”

Riback posts a list of needed items each week on social media. These items can be dropped off at the MLK Center, at 150 N. Centre Ave, between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Fridays. The MLK Center cannot accept direct cash donations, so those interested in making a monetary donation toward poultry, meat and produce can email antiracismprojectli@gmail.com to find out how to donate.