'Thanks be to God': Long Island Cares' long-awaited Valley Stream food pantry is here.
Food bank's new pantry is late to arrive but needed now more than ever.
After a series of logistical logjams pushing its opening day deadline, Long Island Cares’ newest food pantry in Valley Stream is finally here. The regional food bank’s newest satellite location was built to address the growing needs of local families and ease the demand on other regional pantries, especially the one in Freeport, which has been overwhelmed by requests for assistance.
“They were trying to alleviate some of that,” Lourdes Taglialatela, the pantry’s program center coordinator, said. “So, put somebody right on the western border, and then you had Freeport, kind of like mid-Nassau. Then you have Bethpage a little further eastbound and more north, you know, to cover that area. But this way, we canvas the whole of Nassau County because it’s huge, and Freeport was getting the brunt of it.”
The pantry held a soft opening on Aug. 19 and hosted its official ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sept. 10.
The two-year process for opening its doors involved waiting for permits, inspections, meetings with elected officials, negotiating with property owners, and working with contractors.
Adjustments to the building and numerous inspections, including fire marshal checks, were completed. Safety fixes, such as changes to door handles, were required, according to Taglialatela
Despite the challenges, Taglialatela is grateful for the eventual success. “Thanks be to God, it finally came through,” she said, acknowledging the obstacles but expressing satisfaction with the outcome.
The pantry received $560,000 in grants including $200,000 from Assemblymember Michaelle Solages for rent, office equipment, and partial salary. Representative Gregory Meeks provided $360,000 for food purchases.
“One day we got 11 pallets of dry food delivered,” Taglialatela said. “I’m going, ‘oh my God, where are we going to put all this stuff?’ But we managed.”
The pantry places orders directly with various suppliers, using a mix of grant funds, donations, and contributions from the USDA’s Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program.
With over 20 years of experience running a Catholic Church outreach and food pantry, Taglialatela’s commitment to the cause is driven by her passion for helping those in need.
“The first day I came home [from working for the parish], my husband asked, ‘How was your day at work?’ And I just smiled and said, ‘It was wonderful,’” she said. “My husband replied: ‘You know how long it’s been since I’ve heard you say that?’ It’s rewarding, it’s challenging at times, but I feel like that’s what I was called to do.”
A member agency of Long Island Cares for over two decades, Taglialatela is now a full-time employee, dedicated to addressing what the organization’s founder, Harry Chapin, called “the shame of America”—hunger.
Though the Valley Stream pantry is still in its infancy, it has registered over 30 families. Word of mouth, outreach to local organizations, and distributing flyers have helped raise awareness. While the pantry is still growing its volunteer base, Taglialatela remains optimistic about its future and the positive impact it will have on the community.
The pantry serves all Nassau County residents but also considers individual circumstances. For example, people who live outside the service area, but work nearby, such as a man from Massapequa who works across the street, are also accommodated.
The registration process requires a photo ID and proof of Nassau County residency.
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