PSEG Long Island’s ‘Power to Feed Long Island’ Returns to Fight Hunger this Summer

Second annual food drive with Island Harvest Food Bank and Stop & Shop aims to collect 30,000 meals for local families

(UNIONDALE, N.Y. — June 21, 2022) PSEG Long Island, Island Harvest Food Bank and Stop & Shop kicked off PSEG Long Island’s second annual Power to Feed Long Island summer-long food drive today, on the first day of summer. Seven PSEG Long Island Power to Feed Long Island employee ambassadors, along with anti-hunger advocates and government officials gathered at the Stop & Shop in Massapequa to donate food and money, and call on Long Islanders to take action to support neighbors facing food insecurity.

Beginning July 1 and continuing through the end of September, collection drives will be set up at six different Stop & Shop supermarkets across Long Island, where community members can donate non-perishable food and essential care items. This year’s goal is to collect the equivalent of 30,000 healthy, nutritious meals for Long Island families struggling to put food on their tables. This goal recognizes Island Harvest’s 30th anniversary this year.

“We are kicking off our second annual Power to Feed Long Island campaign with Island Harvest and Stop & Shop because hundreds of thousands of our neighbors still need our help,” said David Lyons, interim president and COO, PSEG Long Island. “Last year, PSEG Long Island’s Power to Feed Long Island created a venue for Long Islanders to help fight food insecurity, and they responded with bags, carts and trunks filled with thousands of pounds of food for their neighbors. Thanks to their generosity, we exceeded our 21,000-meal goal in 2021. This year, we are proud to donate and we encourage everyone to continue to be part of the solution, because there is still hunger in every ZIP code. This initiative is just one of the many ways PSEG Long Island and our employees support our communities.”

Hundreds of thousands of Long Island families struggle with hunger and food insecurity throughout the year. During the summer months, there is a significant reduction in food donations to local food banks, pantries and programs. Compounding the issue, children are not in school where they can receive free and reduced-cost breakfast and lunch. In addition, the pandemic and increased inflation rate have further strained local food pantries and emergency feeding programs served by Island Harvest.

Over the past two and a half years, the pandemic has put a significant strain on the supplemental food supply chain. In fiscal year 2020-2021, Island Harvest Food Bank distributed more than 18 million pounds of food – the equivalent of 15 million meals – to Long Islanders facing food insecurity. That’s an 83% increase over fiscal year 2018-2019.

“While summer is often a time of plenty for most of us, many Long Island families continue to struggle to put food on their tables,” said Randi Shubin Dresner, president and CEO of Island Harvest Food Bank. “Island Harvest Food Bank is once again pleased to team up with PSEG Long Island and Stop & Shop for the second annual Power to Feed Long Island food collection events this summer to help address the needs of Long Islanders who continue to struggle with food insecurity. We are exceptionally grateful to PSEG Long Island and Stop & Shop for their caring and generosity now and throughout the year.”

“Stop & Shop is proud to lend its support to PSEG Long Island as it partners with Island Harvest to provide for the needs of Long Islanders,” said Stefanie Shuman, Stop & Shop spokesperson. “Stop & Shop has been a strong ally of the vital work that Island Harvest does every day to ensure that no Long Island family goes hungry. We are proud to host this initiative at six of our stores this summer, as well as donate $1,000 in gift cards to get the program started.”

PSEG Long Island also kicked off the campaign with a $1,000 donation. Combined with the Stop & Shop gift cards, these donations make up the first 4,000 meals collected for the Power to Feed Long Island initiative. Island Harvest estimates each dollar donated provides roughly two meals.

Members of the public are encouraged to come to the collection sites and donate non-perishable food items. Collection bins and a contactless, drive-thru, drop-off option will be available at each location. The first collection event will be held all day on July 1, the Friday of Independence Day weekend. The remaining five food drives will take place on subsequent Fridays as follows:

• July 1 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. 702 Hicksville Road, Massapequa, NY
• July 22 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. 291 West Main Street, Smithtown, NY
• Aug. 5 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. 1615 Old Country Road, Riverhead, NY
• Aug. 19 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. 95 Old Country Road, Carle Place, NY
• Sept. 2 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. 3126 Jericho Turnpike, East Northport, NY
• Sept. 16 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. 365 NY-109, West Babylon, NY

Representatives from PSEG Long Island and Island Harvest Food Bank will be available at all locations to provide information on low-income programs and money-saving energy efficiency options.

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, 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, or to make an online monetary donation, visit www.psegliny.com/feedLI. For more information on PSEG Long Island’s assistance and payment programs for customers experiencing financial hardship, visit www.psegliny.com/myaccount/customersupport/financialassistance. For information about Island Harvest and for help with food insecurity issues, call 631-873-4775.

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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.