Together, We Have the Power to Feed Long Island

PSEG Long Island and Island Harvest Food Bank launch summer food drive to collect 21,000 meals for local families struggling to put food on their tables

(UNIONDALE, N.Y. – July 8, 2021) – Beginning this month and continuing through the end of September, PSEG Long Island is partnering with Island Harvest Food Bank to restock its warehouse shelves with healthy, nutritious meals for Long Island families struggling to put food on their tables. With the help of generous Long Islanders, the Power to Feed Long Island initiative aims to collect the equivalent of 21,000 meals for 2021.

Summertime is a challenging time for food banks, local pantries, and other supplemental feeding programs for people at risk of food insecurity. There is a typical decrease in donations as people take vacations and donation drives are not top of mind. Children out of school don’t receive daily free or reduced-cost breakfast and lunch, which puts a heavier burden on many families.

In addition, over the past year and a half, the pandemic and its after-effects put a significant strain on the supplemental food supply chain. In 2020, Island Harvest Food Bank helped feed 600,000 families challenged with food insecurity, which is double the previous year.

This makes the need to replenish the food supply even more urgent and the public is encouraged to be part of the solution by bringing food donations to one of six local supermarkets hosting Power to Feed Long Island food drives.

“Before the pandemic, Island Harvest Food Bank provided supplemental, regular food support to approximately 300,000 food-insecure Long Islanders,” said Randi Shubin Dresner, president and CEO, Island Harvest Food Bank. “Last year, that number expanded two-fold, which is why keeping a steady supply of healthy food to our neighbors in need is so important. We are grateful to PSEG Long Island and our supermarket partners King Kullen, Stew Leonard’s, and Stop & Shop for their continued caring and generosity in helping us make sure that no one on Long Island goes hungry.”

“We are pleased to support Island Harvest Food Bank by creating a venue for our communities to come together to fight hunger on Long Island,” said Daniel Eichhorn, president and COO, PSEG Long Island and Island Harvest Food Bank board member. “The food drives are a way for neighbors to help and support each other during difficult times. It’s also a great way for our employees to support our communities where we live and work, and participate in causes that are important to us.”

Today members of PSEG Long Island, including Power to Feed Long Island employee-ambassadors, joined Island Harvest, representatives from partner supermarkets and elected officials to announce the start of this important initiative to support our neighbors challenged with food insecurity.

The food drives will take place on select Fridays at the following Stop & Shop, Stew Leonard’s and King Kullen locations, with contactless drive-thru areas, as well as collection bins, set up from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.:

July 16 Stop & Shop 1750 Veterans Memorial Hwy., Islandia
July 23 Stew Leonard’s 1897 Front St., East Meadow
Aug. 6 Stop & Shop 702 Hicksville Rd., Massapequa
Aug. 20   King Kullen 273 Wm. Floyd Pkwy., Shirley
Sept. 17 Stop & Shop 1100 Jericho Tpk., Huntington Station
Sept. 24 King Kullen 2305 Jericho Tpk., Garden City Park

At all locations, representatives from PSEG Long Island and Island Harvest Food Bank will be available to provide information on low-income programs and money-saving energy efficiency options. They will also help coordinate contactless drop-offs through a drive-thru donation area.

Island Harvest has a need for specific items, including:

• Nonperishable food: Healthy varieties of canned foods, such as: low-sodium beans, vegetables, soups, pasta sauces and tomato varieties, tuna and chicken, along with rice, pasta, nut butters, olive and canola oil, spices and pet food (no glass containers please).
• Household essentials: Toilet paper, paper towels, hand sanitizer, laundry detergent and dish soap.
• Personal care items: Toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, soap, shampoo, conditioner, feminine care products and shaving products, antibacterial wipes and washcloths.
• Baby care items: Diapers, wipes, formula, creams, ointments and baby wash.

Additionally, information will be available from PSEG Long Island on electric service payment plans and programs, and ways to save money through energy efficiency options.

For additional information on Power to Feed Long Island, visit www.psegliny.com/feedLI [psegliny.com]. For more information on PSEG Long Island’s assistance and payment programs for customers experiencing financial hardship, visit www.psegliny.com/myaccount/customersupport/financialassistance [psegliny.com]. For information about Island Harvest and for help with food insecurity issues, call 631-873-4775.

Photo caption: Members of PSEG Long Island, including Power to Feed Long Island employee-ambassadors, joined Island Harvest, representatives from partner supermarkets and elected officials to announce the start of this important initiative to support our neighbors challenged with food insecurity. Power to Feed Long Island aims to collect 21,000 meals at food collection events across Long Island in July, August and September. Photo courtesy of PSEG Long Island.

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PSEG Long Island operates the Long Island Power Authority’s transmission and distribution system under a long-term contract.  PSEG Long Island is a subsidiary of Public Service Enterprise Group Inc. (PSEG) (NYSE:PEG), a publicly traded diversified energy company.