LI Cares Opens in Lindy, Collecting Food & Helping Sandy Victims

Long Island Cares, Incorporated-The Harry Chapin Food Bank has opened a storefront in Lindenhurst on March 1 to assist local communities still in need of emergency food, pet food, as well as cleaning and other supplies in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.

And in the short time it's been open, LI Cares has been not only been able to help many, it's also been embraced by residents and businesses alike.

"This past Friday 63 families were assisted at our new South Shore Service Center in Lindenhurst. We were able to distribute new comforters, space heaters, toaster ovens, microwave ovens, cleaning supplies and food to families still recovering from the impact of Superstorm Sandy," LI Cares wrote on its Facebook page on March 4.

And Lindenhurst's New Image Barbershop hosted a Community Give Back Day this past Saturday, March 9, where, among those from others', literature on Long Island Cares' programs were on display, also according to LI Cares' Facebook page.

"How special is this? We move into Lindenhurst just eight days ago, and already the community is reaching out to support us!" the non-profit wrote.

The new food bank location is accepting donations of non-perishable food, new cleaning supplies and unused blankets that still have tags on them.

The hours of operation are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Thursday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The center - located at 163-1 North Wellwood Avenue, 631-991-8106 - is designed to serve Sandy survivors in communities along the South Shore.

Based upon the organization's successful Nassau Service Center in Freeport, the New Long Island Cares South Shore Service Center in Lindenhurst is being funded by a grant from The Robin Hood Foundation with additional support being provided by private donations, corporate sponsorship and local government.

"Our South Shore Service Center will initially provide storm-related assistance to the Lindenhurst, Copiague, Amityville and Babylon communities as per our contract with The Robin Hood Foundation. However, other residents in need of emergency food are encouraged to contact us," said LI Cares on its Facebook page the day before the new center opened.

People can come in, and their needs will be assessed in a very detailed fashion by the staff, LI Cares officials told Lindenhurst Patch after it opened.

"Village of Lindenhurst Mayor Tom Brennan, Long Island Cares' Executive Director Paule Pachter, Hank (Mr. Sign), Shawn Cullinane, Village Clerk/Treasurer, and Suffolk County Legislator Wayne Horsely (l to r) get ready to lift the sign on Long Island Cares' South Shore Service Center at 163-1 North Wellwood Avenue in Lindenhurst (before it opened on Friday, March 1)," the non-profit wrote on its Facebook page on March 7.

"For more information about our newest program, please call 631-991-8106," LI Cares encouraged.

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