Thursday, October 1, 2026
During the month of September food banks across the country will be celebrating Hunger Action Month, a time for communities to support organizations that seek to help food-insecure families. Long Island Cares, a network of Long Island food pantries, is joining this initiative as it hopes to secure additional food and monetary donations from Long Island communities to further its ongoing services.
Peter Crescenti, media relations representative for Long Island Cares, described the rising cost of grocery prices, losses in SNAP benefits nationwide and uncertainty about donations as reasons that make receiving additional support for Long Island residents essential to continue the organization's work. Their efforts are concentrated at their regional food banks in Freeport, Happauge, Bethpage, Hampton Bays, Huntington Station, Lindenhurst and Valley Stream while reaching families island-wide.
An $100,000 match donation from Long Island Cares' board of directors has begun the Hunger Action Month drive, with all additional donations from Long Islanders going directly to purchasing and distributing more food to feed those in need.
Long Island Cares is also contributing in other ways to the efforts of Hunger Action Month. The organization has joined a group of New York State elected officials to tackle the changes to SNAP, including the federal government's decision to shift "a huge portion of the cost of feeding our neighbors" from SNAP to state governments, Crescenti said.
Over 300 pantry partners and additional sponsors have contributed time and resources to running the food pantries and collecting donations.
To join Long Island Cares' Hunger Action Month effort or learn about their services, please go to Long Island Cares' website and contact the nearest listed food bank.
