Today PSEG Long Island and Island Harvest Food Bank are kicking off PSEG Long Island’s third annual Power to Feed Long Island summer-long food drive initiative.
Beginning today, June 21 – the first day of summer – and continuing through Sept. 22 – the last full day of summer – collection drives will be set up at six supermarkets across Long Island, where community members can donate nonperishable food and essential care items. This year’s goal is to collect the equivalent of 50,000 healthy, nutritious meals for Long Islanders facing food insecurity. The community collection drives will begin next Friday, June 30, in Massapequa.
Online donations are being accepted today and throughout the campaign at psegliny.com/feedli. Island Harvest estimates each dollar donated provides roughly two meals.
“We created PSEG Long Island’s Power to Feed Long Island as a way to provide a venue for people to help people. In the past two years, hundreds of Long Islanders have donated online and brought bags, carts and trunks filled with thousands of pounds of food to our collection sites to support the initiative,” said David Lyons, interim president and COO, PSEG Long Island. “Our goal this summer is to collect the equivalent of 50,000 meals because there is still hunger in every ZIP code. PSEG Long Island is committed to playing an active role in improving the communities we serve. We are proud to partner with Island Harvest and our supermarket partners for the third year to help put food on the tables of families in our communities who need it.”
Hundreds of thousands of Long Island families struggle with hunger and food insecurity throughout the year. During the summer months, there is a significant reduction in food donations to local food banks, pantries and other programs. Compounding the issue, children are not in school where they can receive free or reduced-cost breakfast and lunch. In addition, the pandemic and increased inflation rate continue to strain local food pantries and emergency feeding programs served by Island Harvest.
“Island Harvest Food Bank is grateful to our valued partners, PSEG Long Island, for hosting the third annual Power to Feed Long Island food collection event to help address the critical shortage of food through the summer months for people facing food insecurity,” said Randi Shubin Dresner, president and CEO of Island Harvest Food Bank. “With school feeding programs halted for the summer break, families already struggling to make ends meet are faced with additional challenges, and the support of PSEG Long Island, Stop & Shop, and the generosity of their customers will help ease that burden.”
Members of the public are encouraged to come to the collection sites and donate nonperishable food items. Collection bins and a drive-thru, drop-off option will be available at each location. The first collection event will be held all day on June 30, the Friday before Independence Day weekend. The food drives will take place on Fridays as follows:
- June 30 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Stop & Shop – 702 Hicksville Road, Massapequa, NY
- July 14 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Stop & Shop – 291 West Main Street, Smithtown, NY
- July 28 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Stop & Shop – 95 Old Country Road, Carle Place, NY
- Aug. 11 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. ShopRite 3901 Hempstead Tpke., Bethpage, NY
- Sept. 1 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Stop & Shop – 3126 Jericho Turnpike, East Northport, NY
- Sept. 15 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Stop & Shop – 575 West Montauk Highway, West Babylon, NY
Representatives from PSEG Long Island and Island Harvest Food Bank will be available at all locations to provide information on low-income programs and money-saving energy efficiency options.
Island Harvest has a need for specific items, including:
- Nonperishable food: Healthy varieties of canned foods, such as low-sodium beans, vegetables, soups, pasta sauces and tomato varieties, tuna and chicken, rice, pasta, nut butters, olive and canola oil, spices and pet food (no glass containers please).
- Household essentials: Toilet paper, paper towels, hand sanitizer, laundry detergent and dish soap.
- Personal care items: Toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, soap, shampoo, conditioner, feminine care products and shaving products, antibacterial wipes and washcloths.
- Baby care items: Diapers, wipes, formula, creams, ointments and baby wash.
Additionally, information will be available from PSEG Long Island on electric service payment plans and programs, and ways to save money through energy efficiency options.
For additional information on Power to Feed Long Island, or to make an online monetary donation, visit www.psegliny.com/feedLI. For more information on PSEG Long Island’s assistance and payment programs for customers experiencing financial hardship, visit www.psegliny.com/myaccount/customersupport/financialassistance. For information about Island Harvest and for help with food insecurity issues, call 631-873-4775.
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