PSEG Long Island hosts second summer Power to Feed to combat food insecurity
This is the sixth annual Power to Feed Long Island food collection drive to benefit Island Harvest Food Bank.
More Stories
Food insecurity is a growing problem on Long Island, but Long Island nonprofits are trying to address it, one food drive at a time.
"We're helping to make sure that we have enough food, so that's one less thing to worry about. One less burden to have," says Island Harvest Development Director Amanda Chirco.
PSEG Long Island hosted its second Power to Feed food drive of the summer on Friday. Overall, it's the sixth year they've held the event, which benefits Island Harvest.
Long Islanders have donated the equivalent of nearly 153,000 meals through the initiative since the beginning.
Over 50 people dropped off donations on Friday. Some News 12 viewers decided to help after seeing the need for donations.
"I hear about all of these people in dire need. I see it's true," says Selden resident Arnie Frank.
"It's terrible that people on Long Island are starving and don't have food to eat," says Port Jefferson Station resident Donna Paliugli.
The event comes during the summer months, when there is historically a significant reduction in food donations to local banks and pantries. This is also when kids are on summer break, therefore not receiving free or reduced-cost breakfasts and lunches through their schools.
Friday’s event also comes just weeks after thousands of Long Islanders may have lost access to SNAP because of the new federal work requirements that impacted benefits on June 1.
"Makes it a lot harder to go shopping. I mean, you go to the store, you spend a hundred bucks and you come home with nothing," says Port Jefferson Station resident Karen Zeffert.
Here is a list of future "Power to Feed" events:
Friday, July 10, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Stop & Shop
3750 Hempstead Turnpike, LevittownFriday, July 24, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Stop & Shop
385 Route 25A, Miller PlaceFriday, Aug. 7, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Stop & Shop
3126 Jericho Turnpike, East NorthportFriday, Aug. 21, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Stop & Shop
50 Cherry Valley Ave., West HempsteadFriday, Sept. 18, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Stop & Shop
8101 Jericho Turnpike, WoodburyFriday, Sept. 25, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Stop & Shop
365 Route 109, West Babylon
