Northport-East Northport ELC Food Pantry Website Has Launched!

The all-volunteer Northport-East Northport Ecumenical Lay Council Food Pantry, located in the bottoms level of the First Presbyterian Church on Main Street in Northport, expresses heartfelt gratitude for the generosity of our community. Local businesses, civic organizations, houses of worship, school groups, and individuals give in various ways to help ensure none of our neighbors goes hungry.

We have just launched a website (www.elcfoodpantry.org), where you can learn about our operation, how to volunteer, the goods we provide, the areas we serve, and the ELC’s membership of 12 houses of worship and two community outreach organizations. The website facilitates credit-card donations, and checks made out to ELC Food Pantry can be sent to Box 675, Northport, NY 11768. Open Monday through Thursday from 10 to noon, the pantry is run by some 25 dedicated volunteers who give their time each week.

We are a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit and an agency of Long Island Cares, the Harry Chapin Food Bank, which estimates that a quarter million Long Islanders face chronic food insecurity, which is defined by the USDA as “a lack of consistent access to enough food for every person in a household to live and active, heathy life.” The late, great singer/songwriter Harry Chapin, who founded Long Island Cares, reminded the audiences of his concerts that the world produces enough food to keep every person on the planet consistently and adequately fed.

With the community’s donations of food, basic toiletries, and money, we help keep almost 200 families in our little corner of the world—approximately 700 people—active and healthy on a consistent basis.

We are often asked. “What do you need most?” You can’t go wrong donating nutritious, non-perishable food items (soups, pasta, sauce, canned vegetables, beans, tuna and chicken, breakfast cereal, rice, etc.). There is a drop box outside the pantry at 330 Main Street. Much of the need is met by donations of money, which allows us to keep the shelves stocked with the essentials we offer our clients.