Lynbrook community supplies families with meals amid virus

Editor’s note: Di Fiore is a Herald contributor from Lynbrook High School.

At the height of the coronavirus, when no one was allowed at work or in parks, libraries, or even schools, the Lynbrook community came together.

The unprecedented shutdowns led toward a staggering, crippling economy. Over the past few weeks, many have lost their jobs or have been furloughed, no longer receiving income. The Lynbrook School District has stepped in to help.  The Lynbrook Food Distribution program has been up and running throughout the pandemic, starting on March 17, and has brought a safe haven home to the students.

As part of an essential service during Covid-19, the program is providing meals directly to Lynbrook families. It has distributed more than 4,500 meals to Lynbrook families and participants have not missed a single distribution day. Distribution happens every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10 a.m. to noon in front of Lynbrook High School. Volunteers running the table comprise all Lynbrook staff members. Laurie Mitchell, director of guidance, has been coordinating the program for the district since it started.

“The outpouring of generosity and support from the Lynbrook staff and community has been truly incredible,” she said. She thanked the district’s building leadership for its support in providing the service, and the custodial staff for showing up every day to greet the families.

Countless food services and organizations have been donating food to Lynbrook, such as Aramark Food Services, Island Harvest, The Experience Vineyard Church of Rockville Centre and the Lynbrook Police Beneveolent Association.. Island Harvest has been donating full meals for adults, while the Vineyard Church has been donating produce to Lynbrook for use in the distribution.

The Lynbrook Police Department is donating food and non-perishable items to the cause. “My wife, Jane, who works in the library department at LHS, mentioned to me that the School District was looking for donations of nonperishable food to the supply the breakfast and lunch program,” Lynbrook Police Chief Brian Paladino said. “I told the Lynbrook PBA oard members and they were only too happy to make a donation. The Lynbrook community has been so generous to the Police Department throughout the COVID 19 quarantine, it was the least we could do to pay it forward.”

The Lynbrook PBA has also been donating to Lynbrook to give back to the families in need. “The members of the Lynbrook PBA are extremely proud to serve the Lynbrook community, one of which has historically stood behind its Police Department,” Lynbrook PBA Vice President Anthony Falsitta said.”We have received tremendous support in the recent weeks, and so when we found out about the need of food for the students, we thought it was the perfect opportunity to give back”

Donations to the distribution are now open to the public, providing the perfect opportunity to give back to the community during these trying, unprecedented times. The program will be available as long as Gov. Andrew Cuomo keeps the schools going. Lynbrook families are in need of help from the community. The organizers are collecting nonperishable food, toiletries and gift cards to stores.