Oyster Bay Holding Baby Formula Drive To Help Parents In Need

MASSAPEQUA, NY — The Town of Oyster Bay is teaming up with a resident to hold a baby formula collection drive. Residents will be able to donate unexpired, unused formula that will be distributed to families who are struggling to find it during the nationwide shortage.

The drive will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 22 at Marjorie Post Park, located at 451 Unqua Road in Massapequa Park.

"The nationwide baby formula shortage is causing a crisis for many families throughout Long Island," said Town of Oyster Bay Councilman Steve Labriola. "We all know that once little ones move onto food, families are often left with extra formula in their pantries. We ask that you open your hearts and cupboards by donating unexpired, unused formula for families facing shortages and empty store shelves."

At the start of the pandemic, Massapequa resident Carmela Shimansky launched a Facebook page One Parent to Another to help parents in need of baby formula and other childcare necessities. Working with neighbors and friends in the community, Shimansky connected with local moms who had items they no longer needed and asked them to pay it forward by donating them to others.

"The goal here is really to help those families who can't get to the stores, who can't go from place to place trying to find what they need," Shimansky said. "We hope to reach as many people as possible so that they can provide for their families."

For more information on this and other upcoming events helping local families, visit Carmela's page on Facebook, or www.oysterbaytown.com.