National Hugging Day: Giving Comfort to Our Community Through Food Pantry & Soup Kitchens

Today is National Hugging Day, and with the pandemic still in swing, we realize this may not be the easiest holiday to celebrate for everyone, but if you’re able, give your loved ones a hug and let them know you care! (Don’t forget to hug your pets, too!)  And if you can’t see your loved ones for whatever reason, we’re here to share some great ways you can “hug” your community and show them you care!

 

 

Today we’re highlighting wonderful local charities who need your help providing not just hugs, but safety and security to our local community here in Long Island and the NY Metro Area.  Additionally, we’ve got a short list of more ways you can help local organizations and individuals.

 

Our focus will be on food pantries, community fridges, and food banks, because nothing says “I love you, support you, and care for you” like a hearty, comforting meal.  So let’s come together as a community to give out a “hug in a bowl” via soup kitchens and food donations.

 

 

Supporting Food Pantries in the Local Community

 

We’re going to start off with a list of food pantries that are in need of donations and volunteers.  Food pantries help fight hunger and poverty by assisting those in need with pantry items, fresh foods, and prepared meals.  They act as both storage and distribution centers for perishable and non perishable foods to help empower the community with stability and support.  In addition, some food pantries support grassroots efforts to create “community fridges” in areas which are known food deserts.  Additionally, not everyone has access to a full kitchen of tools, so offering pre-peeled or pre-cut food is another great way to support accessibility.

 

Find local community refrigerators here.

 

Most venues readily welcome community donations and contributions, but please check their websites or social media for drop off information and most-needed items!  This is not a place to drop expiring or recently expired foods; food pantries need items with a long shelf life as well as new, fresh foods.  They are not a place for unloading unwanted items from your shelves at home, but providing quality and equivalent food options for your peers, neighbours, and community members.  A good rule of thumb is “if you wouldn’t use it, don’t donate it or drop it off.”  

 

Feel free to also include suggested recipes for the ingredients you’re donating and attach them with your donation!  The aim is to provide agency and independence to those experiencing food insecurity, and empower our friends and neighbours by showing community support.  

 

 

What to Stock in Your Local Community Fridge or Food Pantries
Each venue and refrigerator has its own set of rules and regulations, but here are some general suggestions that these organizations are usually seeking in donations.

 

• Fresh Produce

• Fresh organic meats

• Family packs of eggs

• Bottled Water

• Bottled Electrolyte Drinks

• Lactose Free and Non-Dairy Milk

• Pre-Cut, Spiralized, or pre-peeled produce

• Family Sized packaged meals

• Single Serving meals in mason jars or pre-packaged

• Allergen Friendly prepared meals

• Homemade meals which are labeled with dates and ingredient lists (check with your local fridge managers and community organizers to verify if they will accept homemade meals as some do not!)

• Seasonal offerings for holiday meal celebrations

• Items to make birthday cakes or birthday treats

• Pantry Items and dry goods such as

  • Ethnic Seasonings

  • Herbs, Spices, Salt, and Pepper

  • Flours and Baking Mixes (regular and gluten free)

  • Rice and Pasta (regular and gluten free)

  • Cans with pop-top lids that don’t require an opener

  • Bottled Salsa and Jarred Sauces

  • Tortillas and Bread (regular and gluten free)

  • Allergen friendly dry goods and snacks

  • Kid-Friendly snacks

  • Shelf stable milk and non-dairy milk

 

Long Island Food Pantries

 

• Abundant Life Church of God in Holbrook

• Agape Ministries Food Pantry in Hempstead

• Assumption of the Bvm Outreach in Centereach

• Bay Shore Emergency Food Program in Bay Shore

• Bethany Hospitality Kitchen in Central Islip

• Central Islip Civic Council in Central Islip

• Central Islip SDA FP in Central Islip

• East Hampton Food Pantry in East Hampton

• Family Service League/Central Islip in Central Islip

• Holy Church of Christ Food Pantry in Central Islip

• Interfaith of Islip in Islip

• Island Harvest in Mineola

• Island Heart Food Pantry in Middle Island

• Lighthouse Mission Mobile Food Pantry in Central Islip

• Long Island Volunteer Center in Hempstead

• Our Lady of Lourdes Outreach in West Islip

• Nassau County Veterans Service Agency in East Meadow

• Rina Shkolnik Kosher Food Pantry in Cedarhurst

• River of Life Outreach Ministry in Bay Shore

• Springs Community Presbyterian Church in East Hampton

• St Mary of the Isle Soup Kitchen in Long Beach

• Westminster Community Food Pantry in West islip

• Wyandanch Church of God Food Pantry in Wyandanch

 

Other fantastic ways you can support your community:

• Donate your time and physical presence to helping stock food pantries distribute boxes, or serve meals

• Give blood at local blood banks or blood drives

• Ask if your employer will contribute a “gift match” to your personal donation

• When shopping on Amazon, set http://Smile.Amazon.com as your homepage

• Create care packages for the local homeless population and distribute, or bring to warming stations around the city.

• Collect gently used toys, books, and clothing in good condition which has been laundered and folded neatly, and bring them to a local family shelter or to warming stations around town.

• Collect and distribute or donate over the counter medications, toiletries, period products, and other personal hygiene items to the local homeless shelters or domestic family/womens shelters

• Donate or volunteer at events with animal shelters, local non-profits in the arts, and your local libraries