Saturday, November 8, 2025
After more than 17 years leading Long Island Cares, President and CEO Paule Pachter has announced his retirement.
He will assume the title of president emeritus in an advisory capacity and remain in his current role until a successor is named.
“My time at Long Island Cares has been the most rewarding and productive period of my 46-year history of working in the nonprofit human services sector on Long Island,” Pachter said in a news release. “Along with our dedicated staff, we have transformed the role of a traditional food bank and developed innovative and effective programs to support those in need.
Long Island Cares is a regional food bank and nonprofit organization headquartered in Hauppauge, New York.
Founded to combat food insecurity across Long Island, it provides emergency food assistance, distributes nutritious groceries, and offers support services to individuals and families in need.
The organization operates a network of pantries and distribution centers, including locations in communities such as Freeport, Lindenhurst, and Bethpage.
As food insecurity continues to affect an estimated 121,000 Long Islanders, including 65,000 children, Long Island Cares has sought to expand its outreach, opening another pantry in Valley Stream in August of last year.
“I have had the privilege of working with a dedicated team and supportive board of directors that few others have experienced. I’m extremely proud to have had the opportunity to impact the way we respond to food insecurity on a local, state, and national level through my involvement in the Feeding America network,” Pachter said in the release.
“I look forward to welcoming the next President and CEO of this historic organization in my new role as President Emeritus," he added. "We have so much more to do to respond to hunger and to what Harry Chapin said ‘was the shame of America.’”
During Pachter’s tenure, Long Island Cares expanded its services significantly, launching mobile food distribution efforts, veterans’ initiatives, and Baxter’s Pet Pantry, among other community-focused programs.
“Paule has been an immeasurable asset to Long Island Cares,” David Herold, Long Island Cares board president said in the release. “Paule’s drive and ingenuity led to the creation of many programs and services, including mobile food pantries, a food pantry network, a variety of veterans’ programs, and Baxter’s Pet Pantry.
“Not only does Paule’s legacy greatly benefit Long Islanders every day, but his broad vision has been duplicated by food banks nationally to benefit our country’s food insecure."
Herold went on to say that other than Long Island Cares founders Harry and Sandy Chapin, no one person has had a greater impact at Long Island Cares than Paule Pachter.
"It has been an honor and privilege to work with him," he added. "I and the entire board look forward to continuing to work with Paule through and after this transition.”
