Helping to Feed Our Community 3

HBO will be airing a documentary in July entitled “Hard Times: Lost on Long Island” that follows four families as they struggle with unemployment and the resulting hardships. As more and more Long Islanders feel the fallout of the recession that officially ended in 2010, one question must be answered- how do these families manage?

Long Island has seen a slower recovery than other regions because of the high cost of living and higher-than-normal unemployment rates. For others who have regained employment, they are earning far less than in their previous jobs and are considered to be under-employed.

When a financial crisis strikes, many families cut back on food and medical expenditures first. This is often necessary because priority must be given to housing costs.  A family that cannot pay their rent or mortgage faces homelessness and if unable to pay utilities will be left without heat or water.

The cut back on food purchases may lead to under or malnutrition especially for the most vulnerable family members-those below the age of five.

It is therefore important that each community maintain food pantries and soup kitchens to ensure that those who need help get help.   

At The Patchogue Neighbors INN we recognize this need and are striving to make sure that every individual who needs a meal receives it. That is why it is vital to our mission that we maintain a large staff of volunteers backed by the monetary resources needed to purchase the food served each week. Our INN is a totally not-for-profit program of The INN which runs most of the soup kitchens on Long Island.

Our four locations serve meals on Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. If would like to volunteer at one of our locations or can donate money or goods to help this program continue, please contact Louise Ramsey at 631-834-2938 or send  your check made out to The Patchogue Neighbors INN to:

The Patchogue Neighbors INN

PO Box 727

Patchogue, NY 11772