We strive to not only meet the immediate need for emergency food relief on Long Island, but also to eliminate the underlying causes of hunger itself.  A summary of our programs follows, with a link to additional information on each.

In response to the need for a year-round resource, Long Island Cares opened The Harry Chapin Food Bank in February 1982.  The Food Bank receives, warehouses, and distributes millions of pounds of donated and purchased food from various sources to member agencies serving the needy population of Nassau and Suffolk counties.

The Food Bank serves more than 600 of these agencies: food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, group homes, day treatment facilities, senior nutrition sites and day care centers.  Agency Relations is of vital importance for guiding, coordinating, and monitoring their food relief efforts.

Long Island Cares addresses the causes of hunger through Community Outreach Programs such as New Paths to Achievement and Job Training.  These programs work with individuals most at risk of needing emergency food assistance during their lifetime, helping them acquire job skills and confidence to make them self-sufficient.

Our School Tools program sends a positive message about the importance of education by making new school supplies available to children in need of assistance.  The Kids Cafe after-school program provides children with nutritious meals and snacks in a safe, educational environment in cooperation with community agencies.

Long Island Cares' Hunger Education program is an important tool in the fight against hunger.  Presentations given for schools, clubs, religious organizations and local government groups discuss Hunger Statistics, why many people in the United States are hungry, and what organizations like Long Island Cares are doing to address the problem.

Our Programs