Local charities gain from food drive

  • 2015-08-31
Huntington and Northport charities benefited from the Summer Food Drive held earlier this month.

This is the second year for the drive, which was the brainchild of Legislator William Spencer.

Held on August 4 and 5, the drive collected 549 nonperishable items of both human and pet food. The donations will be given to St. Hugh of Lincoln Parish Outreach, the Ecumenical Lay Council of Northport/East Northport, and the Little Shelter Animal Rescue and Adoption Center.

The drive illustrated a common problem for food pantries, which is that families tend to need more help in the summer, which is also the time of year when donations often decline. Spencer said that the success of the drive this year reflects the generosity of the residents in the district, and added their donations will be of great help this summer, for those in need.

Two local stores, Waldbaums in Huntington, and King Kullen in Northport, helped out by allowing volunteers for the drive to set up tables in front of their markets.

Chairperson for the ELC Food Pantry, Donna Galluccio, said the residents who rely on food pantries are extremely grateful for the fundraisers, local food drives, and vegetables that come directly from community gardens.

Food pantry operators might consider working with a flyer printing company on a mailer for area residents, discussing this success but reminding them many people still need their help.