Daily Baby Formula Collection Sites Now Open In Town Of Oyster Bay

OYSTER BAY, NY — Following success at local weekly baby formula collection drives, the Town of Oyster Bay has opened daily collection sites for families in need.

Residents are encouraged to donate unexpired, unused formula at Town Hall North (54 Audrey Ave., Oyster Bay) and Town Hall South (977 Hicksville Rd., Massapequa) until July 15. The collection sites are open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. The Town says all donations will benefit families who are struggling to find baby formula amid a nationwide shortage.

"The nationwide baby formula shortage is causing a crisis for many families throughout Long Island," said Town Councilmember 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."

For weeks, the Town has been partnering with local mothers to set up collection drives in nearby communities.

At the start of the pandemic, Massapequa resident Carmela Shimansky launched a Facebook page, called 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."

Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino said: "We're proud to partner with local moms to collect unopened baby formula and safely distribute it to local families who can't find these important products on the shelves at local stores. While the nationwide shortage has been dreadful for families of newborns, we're very fortunate to have goodhearted community volunteers who stepped up to make a positive difference in the community."

For more information on this and other upcoming events helping local families, visit the One Parent to Another Facebook page or www.oysterbaytown.com.