PSEG Long Island announced today that its 2022 Power to Feed Long Island initiative raised the equivalent of 42,616 meals – nearly 43% more than its 30,000-meal goal – thanks to the generosity of Long Islanders. Joined by representatives from Island Harvest Food Bank and Stop & Shop, and by community volunteers who contributed to the initiative, the company made the announcement at Island Harvest’s headquarters in Melville.
“PSEG Long Island’s Power to Feed Long Island initiative has brought out the best in our community and we are overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of Long Islanders,” said David Lyons, interim president and COO of PSEG Long Island. “With their help, we were able to collect 12,616 more meals than the lofty goal of 30,000 we set in June. This is a powerful affirmation of what Long Island is all about. Helping each other is just what we do. I am so proud of our employees who supported these events with their time, money and efforts.”
Breaking down the results, 14,897 pounds of food was collected at the six sites, along with $13,367 collected online and in cash donations and gift cards. The breakdown in each area is as follows:
“PSEG Long Island’s extraordinary efforts in exceeding the expectations of its second annual Power to Feed Long Island initiative is extremely gratifying,” said Randi Shubin Dresner, president and CEO of Island Harvest Food Bank. “We are grateful for their ongoing commitment to helping improve the lives of our neighbors who face the daily challenge of not having enough to eat. We are also thankful to PSEG Long Island’s employee ambassadors, our partner Stop & Shop and the countless Long Islanders who donated to the PSEG Power to Feed Long Island food drive.”
Power to Feed Long Island was created by PSEG Long Island in 2021 to provide the public with venues where they live and work to donate food and personal care items to their neighbors. Food collection events were held at six Stop & Shop supermarkets ─ in Massapequa, Riverhead, Smithtown, Carle Place, East Northport and West Babylon ─ from July through September.
“Stop & Shop is proud to continue our ongoing support of the efforts of Island Harvest to address food insecurity across Long Island,” said Stefanie Shuman, community relations manager, Stop & Shop. “PSEG Long Island’s Power to Feed Long Island enabled our caring customers to take part in food drives held at Stop & Shop stores across Nassau and Suffolk by helping their neighbors in need. This program underscores that when we work together we can make a difference in assisting those combatting hunger and food insecurity.”
Summer is a difficult time of year for food banks, pantries and programs because vacations cause a decrease in donations and collection drives are not top of mind. It is also a time when children out of school are not receiving daily free or reduced-cost breakfast and lunch, which puts a heavier burden on their families. Compounding the issue, the pandemic and the increased inflation rate have further strained local food programs and emergency feeding programs.
Several dozen PSEG Long Island employees participated in the food drives as Power to Feed Long Island ambassadors. They agree that safely getting back out into the community to help their neighbors was a rewarding experience.
There is still time to make a donation online. For additional information on Power to Feed Long Island or to make an online monetary donation, visit www.psegliny.com/feedLI. To view photos of the food drives, results event or the kickoff event, please visit our Flickr page: https://www.flickr.com/photos/psegli/collections/72157721014531983/.
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