Massapequa Chamber Of Commerce Collects Nonperishables For Annual Food Drive

MASSAPEQUA, NY. — The Massapequa Chamber of Commerce is holding its annual nonperishable food drive for the next two weeks, connecting 31 Massapequa businesses with four food pantries to feed hungry families at Thanksgiving.

Chairing the food drive committee is the chamber’s treasurer, Karen Gawrych. She’s joined on the committee by her daughter Kathryn, who owns the Freeport and Smithtown Ninja Academies, and former chamber president Robert Barrett. While the drive has been running for over 25 years, Gawrych kept it simple when discussing the value of the annual collection.

“It’s just a great way to help in the community, those in need,” Gawrych said.

For its first two decades, the drive was chaired by beloved former president of the Massapequa Chamber of Commerce Patricia Orzano, who owned the Merrick Road 7/11. In the years since Orzano became unable to lead the collection, Gawrych stepped up to fill the gap.

Among the locations accepting food donations is the Chamber of Commerce’s new office at 511 Ocean Ave., where donations will be accepted for another two weeks.

“[Food pantries] are saying they want to prepare, get them to the families sooner than later, so they have time to get their donations out. So, about the 13th and 14th of November,” Gawrych said. “A Thursday and Friday.”

Donations will be delivered to food pantries at Maria Regina Catholic Church, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church and YES Community Counseling. Once delivered, partners at the churches and the counseling center will distribute the donated food to families in need ahead of Thanksgiving.