Senator Flanagan Secures Funding To Assist Long Island Cares

Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan (2nd Senate District) today announced that he has secured $15,000 in state funding to help Long Island Cares in their mission to end hunger.  Senator Flanagan was joined in his office by Long Island Cares Chief Executive Officer Paule Pachter and Chief Government Affairs Officer Michael Haynes to announce the support.

According to Long Island Cares, the funding will offset the cost of a study to measure the capacity and distribution capability of their community-based member agencies.  The money will allow the organization to compile data, analyze the information and print the study so that they are better situated to work with their 574 community-based member agencies.

This study will highlight potential gaps in services as well as focus on the challenges food pantries and soup kitchens face in providing emergency food and support.  That will enable the organization to understand how best to serve those in need and to better meet the ongoing needs of the over 316,000 people in need including over 89,000 children that Long Island Cares has made its mission to assist.

"We're very grateful to Senator Flanagan for his continued support of our organization and his leadership on behalf of many not-for-profit organizations on Long Island,” stated Mr. Pachter.  “Our Capacity and Distribution Study will enable Long Island Cares to define the many challenges facing the emergency food distribution system on Long Island that collaborate with the regional food bank, and to develop solutions to better assist those people struggling with domestic hunger and high food insecurity in our region."

"Long Island Cares is an essential resource for thousands of our fellow Long Islanders and it is imperative that the organization is able to streamline its services to help as many people as possible.  By working through local community food pantries, Long Island Cares has made a significant difference in many lives.  This funding will help to provide even more resources to those in need and I am glad to work with Long Island Cares in reaching that goal," stated Senator Flanagan.

For more information on Long Island Cares, including how to get involved, residents can visit their website at www.licares.org.