Paule Pachter and Colleen Merlo, CEO of the Association for Mental Health and Wellness, deeply dive into our community's mental needs, including the help our veterans need.

Dali Boczek, Director of Satellite Services joins me to discuss our six locations throughout Nassau and Suffolk County that provide emergency food pantries, information and referral services, and other opportunities where people can get involved in supporting our neighbors struggling with food insecurity. 

Billy Gonyou, Food Drive and Community Events Manager discusses how people, organizations, and businesses can sponsor a successful food drive to benefit Long Island Cares-The Harry Chapin Regional Food Bank.

Each month, Long Island Cares provides emergency food to nearly 900 homeless people living on the streets and in the elements. John McKeon, our homeless outreach coordinator discusses our Hope for the Homeless mobile outreach program and the challenges we encounter while trying to help our "un-housed neighbors" keep safe.

Dr. Jessica Rosati, Vice President for Programs and Ana Penavic, Research Assistant discuss Long Island Cares' new publication entitled, "Equitable Food Access: An assessment of racial and cultural food barriers on Long Island," and focus on what our organization is doing to increase diversity, equity and inclusion.

Lisa M. Owens, Program Manager for Long Island Cares discusses the role of the regional food bank in responding to emergencies such as Superstorm Sandy, COVID-19, and climate change. We also take a look inside Long Island Cares' disaster plan which if updated annually as new challenges impact our organization and the communities we serve.

Long Island Cares' Paule Pachter, CEO, and Michael Haynes, Vice President for Government Relations & Advocacy, discuss 2023 Legislative Priorities, including the potential passage of the Farm Bill and our hope that it is fair, responsive and helps strengthen The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). They also discuss the upcoming cuts in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and its devastating effect on our communities.

Rivka Halpern, LCSW, Director of the Rena Skolnick Food Pantry, a part of the Marion & Aaron Gural JCC in Cedarhurst talks about food insecurity within the Jewish and Kosher communities.

Long Island Cares' volunteers Maresa Hoheb and Karin Spencer discuss the rewards of volunteering with our Adopt-A-Family holiday meals program.  Both retired professionals, they discuss the importance of helping our neighbors in need and the many rewarding experiences they've had at the regional food bank.