Smithtown 'Stuff-A-Truck' Food Drive With Star Wars Theme: What To Know

SMITHTOWN, NY — The Town of Smithtown is set to host an event to help the food-insecure population.

The town's youth bureau and youth advisory board, with support from the departments of parks and recreation and public safety, are slated to host a "Long Island Cares Stuff-A-Truck" event in honor of Global Youth Service Day.

From noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, the Smithtown Youth Bureau will be hosting a drive-through food collection in the parking lot at Town Hall, at 99 Main St., Smithtown.

"I am always so proud to witness our younger generations come together, engage and participate in initiatives like the Stuff-A-Truck event, which is organized by the Youth Bureau and the Youth Advisory Board," Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim said in a news release. "Special thanks to the incredible team at the Youth Bureau, our Parks Department and Public Safety who always help with logistics at Town Hall during this event. And a special thanks to our amazing partner L.I. Cares, led by a good man and a great friend; Paule Pachter. This Global Youth Service Day, we channel the spirit of service with a Star Wars twist… 'May The Fourth Be With You.' I have the utmost confidence that our community will unite in the force of compassion as we fill this truck with hope and sustenance for those in need."

The Star Wars theme will come with crafts and activities, along with a photo shoot for families.

Star Wars fans will have an option to drop off donations to the dark side or the light side of the force. Mister Softee will be on site with refreshing snacks and frozen treats available for purchase.

"It’s always a pleasure for the Youth Bureau to host a community service event," said Janine Marc-Anthony, executive director of the Smithtown Youth Bureau. "Volunteerism is the very face of compassion. Special events such as this offer the opportunity for students to fulfill school Community Service requirements in the most caring and beautiful way."

The Stuff-A-Truck drive-through food collection is an opportunity for local students and families to participate in a town-wide, Global Youth Service Day initiative. All residents are invited to participate individually, as a family, or with a group. Students have the opportunity to earn community service credit for participating. Two hours of community service credit will be issued to students who donate one item from each category on Long Island Cares Most Needed Items List.

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.