Long Island Credit Unions Work Together
to Help Feed Local Families
December 4 , 2009
LI Credit Unions collect food and funds to fight hunger on Long Island
Long Island Credit Unions' 2009 October Food Drive to help fight hunger in Nassau and Suffolk Counties was an overwhelming success. All the funds and food collected will be donated to Long Island Cares, Inc., and Island Harvest. Representatives of participating credit unions and the two charitable organizations are shown displaying their banners. Pictured (lt. to rt.) are Paule T. Pachter, Executive Director, Long Island Cares, Inc.; Stefanne P. Duffy, President/CEO, LIJ Employees FCU; Maureen Duff, CEO Heart Center FCU; Robert G. Allen, President/CEO, Teachers FCU; Paul Young, VP/COO, Island FCU; Frank Cordano, CEO, Nassau Financial FCU; Wayne N. Grossé, COO, Bethpage FCU; Carol Kristianson, Winthrop University Hospital Employees FCU; Joann Doyle, CEO, North Shore LIJ Health System FCU; Edward P. Paternostro, President/CEO, Nassau Educators FCU; Tony Russo, President, Long Island Realtors FCU and Migdalia Otero , CFR, VP of Programs & Operations, Island Harvest.
Long Island Credit Unions is a cooperative group of 13 credit unions that joined together to support Long Island's leading hunger fighting organizations, Island Harvest and Long Island Cares. Throughout the month of October the participating credit unions conducted an Island-wide food drive and fundraising campaign. A grand total of 4,445 pounds of food and donations amounting to $60,543 will be distributed by the credit unions to Island Harvest and Long Island Cares.
"Over 250,000 Long Islanders are affected by hunger. The Long Island Credit Union members once again teamed up to make the 2009 October food drive an overwhelming success. Their efforts will make a difference in the lives of the men, women and children who are having a difficult time making ends meet. The rising cost of energy, food and housing and unemployment are of growing concern for so many families living in our communities," said Paule T. Pachter, Executive Director of Long Island Cares.
The 13 credit unions participated in this year's hunger program are: Bethpage Federal Credit Union, Heart Center Federal Credit Union, Island Federal Credit Union, Long Island Realtors Federal Credit Union, LIJ Employees Federal Credit Union , Nassau Educators Federal Credit Union, Nassau Financial Federal Credit Union, North Shore LIJ Health System Federal Credit Union, People's Alliance Federal Credit Union, Sperry Federal Credit Union, Teachers Federal Credit Union, Town of Hempstead Employees Federal Credit Union, and Winthrop University Hospital Employees Federal Credit Union.
In keeping with the long-held mission of credit unions — "people helping people" — donations of food were collected at each participating credit union headquarters and branches. Cash contributions were also collected using secure receptacles at each credit union location. Credit union members may continue to make a tax-deductible donation through their accounts at a branch location for a mail in address and contact.
"We are fortunate to have the support of the Long Island Credit Unions. The members have been instrumental in raising food and money that will significantly help to alleviate hunger here on Long Island in the coming months," said Randi Shubin Dresner, President and CEO of Island Harvest.
Island Harvest and Long Island Cares, Inc. are well-established 501(c)3 tax-exempt organizations bringing food and sustenance to Long Island's neediest.
About Island Harvest: Fighting hunger and touching lives, Island Harvest serves as the bridge between those who have surplus food and those who need it, supplying hundreds of community-based nonprofit organizations on Long Island with critical food support to help stem the advancing tide of hunger in our communities. Island Harvest has delivered 57 million pounds of food, supplementing more than 44 million meals, since its inception in 1992. In support of its mission to end hunger and reduce food waste on Long Island, the organization is actively involved in educational and hunger awareness programs to inform the public about the insidious but often unrecognized problem of hunger here, in one of the wealthiest regions of the country, and how individuals, businesses, schools and commercial food establishments can make a difference. Island Harvest is a member of Feeding America (formerly America’s Second Harvest). For more information about Island Harvest, visit www.islandharvest.org or call 516-294-8528.
Long Island Cares, The Harry Chapin Food Bank is a leading anti-hunger organization and Long Island's first Food Bank, serving the hungry on Long Island since 1980. Long Island Cares brings together all available resources for the benefit of the hungry on Long Island and provides emergency food where and when it is needed, and sponsors programs that help families achieve self-sufficiency. The organization was founded by the late singer/activist Harry Chapin in response to the immediate needs of hungry Long Islanders. It is continued by his wife and partner Sandy Chapin, a dedicated Board of Directors and talented staff working out of their 35,000 square foot facility in Hauppauge. Long Island Cares is a member agency of the Food Bank Association of New York State and Feeding America. For more information visit: www.licares.org.
