East Northport Food Drive: PSEG LI Hosting Collection For Island Harvest

EAST NORTHPORT, NY — PSEG LI is hosting a food collection in East Northport on Friday.

The drive is set to run from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Stop & Shop, at 3126 Jericho Turnpike. The Power to Feed Long Island summer food collection will go to Island Harvest Food Bank, and goods will be distributed to food-insecure Long Islanders through local agencies and their food programs.

Island Harvest is requesting:

• Nonperishable food (no glass jars): Healthy varieties of canned foods, such as low-sodium beans, vegetables, soups, pasta sauces and tomato varieties, tuna and chicken, along with rice, pasta, popcorn kernels, nut butters, olive and canola oil, spices and pet food.
• Household essentials: Toilet paper, paper towels, hand sanitizer, laundry detergent and dish soap.
• Personal care items: Toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, soap, shampoo, conditioner, feminine care products and shaving products, antibacterial wipes and washcloths.
• Baby care items: Diapers, wipes, formula, creams, ointments and baby wash.

"Hundreds of thousands of Long Island families struggle with hunger throughout the year," PSEG LI wrote. "During the summer months, there is a significant reduction in food donations to local food banks, pantries and programs."

Children are not in school either, where they can receive free or reduced-cost breakfast and lunch.

"In addition, the pandemic and the increased inflation rate have further strained local food pantries and emergency feeding programs served by Island Harvest," PSEG LI wrote.

PSEG LI has been collecting food at various drives. Its goal was to collect the equivalent of 50,000 meals from the first day of summer to the end of September.

Food collection bins and a drive-thru option will be set up in the parking lot of the supermarket where the public can donate nonperishable items and household essentials for community members facing food insecurity.

"In the past two years, thanks to the generosity of Long Islanders, the equivalent of more than 60,000 meals was collected," PSEG LI wrote.

The remaining two collection events are scheduled for:

• Friday, Sept. 15, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Stop & Shop - 365 Route 109, West Babylon
• Friday, Sept. 22, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Stop & Shop – 3750 Hempstead Tpke. Levittown

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.