'Home Runs for Hunger' Campaign To Help Feed Food-Insecure Long Islanders

HAUPPAUGE, NY — Every home run the Long Island Ducks hit this season will benefit food-insecure Long Islanders, Long Island Cares announced. The Harry Chapin Food Bank is teaming up with the Ducks and Island Federal Credit Union for the "Home Runs for Hunger" campaign.

The campaign launched last season when Island Federal donated $100 to Long Island Cares for every homer hit by a Ducks player. The campaign raised $11,700 to support Long Island Cares’ mission to end hunger on Long Island.

"Island Federal, the Long Island Ducks, and Long Island Cares have been a great team to provide emergency food assistance for our neighbors in need," said Long Island Cares President/CEO Paule Pachter in a news release. "Each time a member of the Ducks hits a home run we can provide 80 meals for a child, veteran, senior, or family in need. As a result of continued inflation and the rising cost of groceries, this initiative is a real game changer for the food bank."

In 2022, there was an "alarming" year-over-year increase in hunger and food insecurity on Long Island, Dr. Jessica Rosati, vice president of programs at Long Island Cares, previously told Patch.

Last year, Long Island Cares distributed 1,041,765 meals to 115,699 visitors, some of whom were repeats, at its five satellites across the island. In 2021, those numbers were 647,844 meals given to 73,896 visitors. The food bank handed out 60 percent more meals last year than in 2021.

Island Federal Credit Union has helped Long Island Cares combat hunger for more than a decade.

"We are proud to partner with the Long Island Ducks’ 'Home Runs for Hunger' program, not only to raise funds for Long Island Cares but to make Long Islanders aware of the critical issue of food insecurity here at home," said Bret W. Sears, president and CEO of Island Federal.

Long Island Cares provides services to thousands of Long Islanders, including food assistance, nutrition education, five owned-and-operated food pantries, and other support programs.

Michael Pfaff, president and general manager of the Ducks, said the organization is excited to help the food insecure population on the island.

"Now there’s even more cause to celebrate every home run hit by your hometown team," Pfaff said.

Fans can support "Home Runs for Hunger" by attending Long Island Ducks games this season and cheering on the team as they hit home runs for a good cause.

The Ducks play at Fairfield Properties Ballpark in Central Islip.

Patch has partnered with Feeding America since 2020 to help raise awareness in our local communities of hunger, a persistent national problem exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks and 60,000 local meals programs across the country, estimates that nearly 34 million people, including 9 million children — about 1 in 6 Americans — are living with food insecurity. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.