Paule Pachter Plans To Retire As Long Island Cares CEO

HAUPPAUGE, NY — Paule Pachter has plans to retire from his position as president and CEO of Long Island Cares after 17 years, Long Island Cares announced Tuesday.

Pachter plans to transition to president emeritus, an advisory role. Pachter will continue to serve his current position until the food bank names his successor.

"My time at Long Island Cares has been the most rewarding and productive period of my 46-year history of working in the nonprofit human services sector on Long Island," Pachter said in a news release. "Along with our dedicated staff, we have transformed the role of a traditional food bank and developed innovative and effective programs to support those in need. I have had the privilege of working with a dedicated team and supportive board of directors that few others have experienced. I’m extremely proud to have had the opportunity to impact the way we respond to food insecurity on a local, state, and national level through my involvement in the Feeding America network. I look forward to welcoming the next president and CEO of this historic organization in my new role as president emeritus. We have so much more to do to respond to hunger and to what Harry Chapin said 'was the shame of America.'"

David Herold, Long Island Cares board president, said Pachter has been an "immeasurable asset" to Long Island Cares.

"Paule’s drive and ingenuity led to the creation of many programs and services, including mobile food pantries, a food pantry network, a variety of veterans’ programs, and Baxter’s Pet Pantry," Herold said. "Not only does Paule’s legacy greatly benefit Long Islanders every day, but his broad vision has been duplicated by food banks nationally to benefit our country’s food insecure. It is not hyperbole to say that, other than our founders Harry and Sandy Chapin, no one person has had a greater impact at Long Island Cares than Paule Pachter. It has been an honor and privilege to work with him. I and the entire board look forward to continuing to work with Paule through and after this transition."

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.