Long Island Food Pantry Sees Community Need Double

RONKONKOMA, NY — Charlotte's Table is a food pantry run by the Association for Mental Health & Wellness, a Suffolk County mental health service nonprofit. The pantry, in operation for nine years, has been serving record numbers of food-insecure Long Islanders since the coronavirus pandemic began in March.

Ruth McDade is the director of development for the Association, who was tasked to help manage the increased need of the food pantry as the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic worsened.

"This is the highest need ever," McDade told Patch. "We are seeing people who have never visited a pantry before, people apologizing for coming to access food."

Historically, the pantry, which is open Wednesdays from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. serves 120-140 people each week. Beginning March the numbers of those seeking assistance began to double. By May 20, McDade said the pantry served 293 people.

Most of those in need are families, she said.

"We are seeing people we never saw before, people who can't make ends meet."

The pantry, open to anyone in the community in need, is supported by Long Island Cares as well as by members of the community who donate. The Ronkonkoma Rotary runs food drives for Charlotte's Table, and the pantry—located at 939 Johnson Ave. in Ronkonkoma— is accepting any non-perishable food donations every Tuesday.

"One day I gave two men in a truck food, watched them drive away and stop at the dumpster to look for more food," McDade recounts.

"People are struggling."

Anyone interested in donating should email rmcdade@mhaw.org or call 631-471-7242.

The MHAW runs a mental health helpline for anyone in need, which they have expanded due to what they call "overwhelming need" during the pandemic: 631-471-7242 ext. 2.