Listen to this articleThe Harry Chapin Regional Food Bank will open its new Valley Stream food pantry on Tuesday, Sept. 10 as part of Hunger Relief Day.
The pantry, located at 241 Rockaway Avenue, is known as the West Nassau Center for Food Assistance & Community Support. It’s open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. Tuesdays are “Military Appreciation Tuesdays,” and are open only to veterans and military personnel.
“The opening of the West Nassau Food Assistance and Community Assistance Center is an extension of Long Island Cares’ mission to provide immediate and ongoing relief to those experiencing food insecurity in Valley Stream and the neighboring town of Nassau,” Jessica Rosati, vice president of programs and community services, said in a news release about the new food pantry.
“None of this would be possible without the support of elected officials and community partners working together to improve the lives of others,” Rosati added.
“This is Long Island Cares’ ninth location, bringing us even closer to the community by providing emergency food assistance to those in need,” Paul Pachter, president and CEO of Long Island Cares, said in a news release.
“Just as we have done in Freeport, Lindenhurst, Huntington Station, Hampton Bays, Hauppauge and Bethpage, we look forward to working with both the local business community and government to meet the needs of our residents,” Pachter added.
Hauppauge and Lindenhurst each have two locations.
The West Nassau Food Assistance and Community Assistance Center began in May 2022 when New York State Assemblyman Michael Sourages, whose district includes Valley Stream, approached Long Island Cares about helping with food distribution at Valley Stream Presbyterian Church. “They’re overwhelmed,” Sourages told Pachter.
Long Island Cares has worked during the pandemic, finding members of the Haitian and Caribbean community and other newly arrived families struggling to put food on the table.
At the same time, Sourajis enlisted the help of U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks, whose district includes part of Valley Stream, and the two worked together to secure $560,000 in federal funding so Long Island Cares could establish a permanent base in Valley Stream.
“Long Island Cares has been an invaluable partner in combating food insecurity and providing critical support to families in our community hit by the affordability crisis,” Solage said in a news release.
“The new West Nassau Food Assistance and Community Assistance Center will directly respond to the needs of our neighbors, providing vital resources and support. The diverse programs available will have a lasting impact on our most vulnerable families,” Sourages said.
Long Island Cares signed a contract for the site in August 2022 and has been instrumental in obtaining all town approvals and shepherding the construction and maintenance project.
“Our new Valley Stream satellite is a beacon of hope for western Nassau County residents battling food insecurity,” local program coordinator Lourdes Taglialatela said in a news release. “At Long Island Cares, we are committed to providing vital assistance to those in need, and our satellite site plays a vital role in fulfilling this mission.”
