Founded in 1980 by American singer-songwriter Harry Chapin, Long Island Cares Inc. now helps more than 300 veterans around the north Shore transition from the front lines to the home front.
Chapin, best known for his folk rock songs including “Taxi,” “W*O*L*D,” “Flowers Are Red” and the number one hit “Cat’s in the Cradle,” was also a dedicated humanitarian who fought to end world hunger.
“He was passionate about hunger,” Long Island Cares Inc. CEO Paule Pachter said.
Although Chapin died in a car accident on the Long Island Expressway in 1981, just one year after founding Long Island’s first food bank, his legacy lives on in Long Island Cares, which has evolved into one of the region’s most comprehensive hunger assistance organizations serving thousands of individuals and families in need.
Pachter said Long Island Cares Inc., located at 10 Davis Drive in Hauppauge, helps more than 316,000 residents, including 70,000 children and more than 300 veterans.
According to its website, Long Island Cares, Inc. partners with several local organizations that support veterans, military personal, and their families. Long Island Cares, Inc. collaborates with veteran services organizations to make its work possible and provides coordinated services for those in need. These organizations include Suffolk County Veterans Services Agency, Nassau County Veterans Service Agency, Northport VA Medical Center, Beacon House, Suffolk County United Veterans, the Dwyer Project, VetsProtected, Boots on the Ground, Services for the Underserved, and the Economic Opportunity Council of Suffolk County.
Since 1980, Long Island Cares, Inc. supports veterans, returning soldiers and military personnel and their families. The organization provides emergency foods, community outreach, and support services to Long Islanders in need.
Pachter said as of right now 45 veterans participate in VetsWork program, which provides veterans with assistance to help build job skills, such as cover letter and résumé writing, aid in their job search process, and facilitate real workplace experience through various volunteer opportunities.
“Since opening 2 years ago 39 veterans have received jobs,” he said,
Each week Long Island Cares Inc. hosts Military Appreciation Tuesdays, which are hosted each week at Long Island Cares’ pantries located in Huntington Station, Lindenhurst, and Freeport.
Officials said this is a chance for veterans and their families to access food, personal care items, household products, pet food, and school supplies. All veterans are provided with information and resources pertaining to veteran-specific benefits.
“This is about bring vets together on Tuesdays,” Pachter said. “This gives them the chance to interact, socialize with their peers and not have to interact with people that might not relate to them or what they might have been through.”
According to its website, Long Island Cares Inc. distributes more than eight million pounds of food and supplies annually via over 590 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, group homes, day treatment facilities, senior nutrition sites and day care centers in Nassau and Suffolk Counties.
In Port Washington the food pantries include the Port Washington Community Action Program Eoc-Nc, located at 382 Main Street in Port Washington. Hours include Tuesday and Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Another food pantry location is St. Peter Of Alcantara Psm, located at 1327 Port Washington Blvd. in Port Washington. Hours include Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
“It’s important for vets and other members of the community because people who are struggling with hunger need to know where they’re going to get their next meal,” Pachter said.
