When a van packed with groceries rolled up at a strip mall in Bellport recently and volunteers began unloading 20-bags of non-perishables to those on the line that quickly formed, one skeptical man inquired if there was a catch.
“What do I have to do?” asked the man. “Nothing,” replied the staffer from Long Island Cares – The Harry Chapin Food Bank, one of the region’s food banks. The worker, who asked that his name not be used, is accustomed to those doubtful that there is such a thing as a free lunch (and then some) and reassured those who got on line, “If you’re in need, we are here to help.”
The volunteers were riding in a Mobile Outreach Resource Enterprise (MORE) van, a custom-converted vehicle that can deliver up to 500 pounds of sundries in its food pantry on wheels at a time in Long Island’s homeless communities across Nassau and Suffolk counties need it most. Encounters with those in disbelief may take some time to dissipate as the first MORE van only hit the streets in March with a second van being donated just last month.
“I have been waiting on my public assistance to go through approval for months, and cannot believe this help is so instant,” another recipient said, hauling off a grocery bag stocked with rice, cereal and other basic groceries. Those on line are among an estimated 14,000 individuals and families on Long Island that are homeless and use pantries, soup kitchens and food banks, according to the 2010 “Hunger in America” study conducted by nonprofit Feeding America for Long Island.
The vans—which have served more than 1,000 people so far—also come equipped with an office where staffers can provide consultation on where those in need can seek formal counseling services, help them to get food stamps, medical insurance and other public assistance as well as job development. The vans hit the street three times per week to reach those who don’t make it to the soup kitchens.
“It is our plan and hope for the vans to go out and find the homeless that won’t come to us for help” said Paul Pachter, executive director of LI Cares. The van’s staffers also give the patrons information on where to find the 560 soup kitchens and pantries across LI, just one of the ways they work with other likeminded organizations.
Pachter and his crew joined about 50 nonprofits and public agencies at the “Stand Up For the Homeless” last week at St. Joseph’s College in Patchogue where the MORE van staffers served up one-day emergency packets with cooked, ready-to-eat meals. Although the event drew different cast of characters than the LI Cares folks normally help, this time there was no confusion that they are simply here to help.
The four-hour one-stop- assistance event provided medical, dental and housing help as well as haircuts and clothing for the families with children getting ready to go back to school. Nonprofits at the event also supplied toys, books and school supplies.
“Our partnership can make a difference,” said Gregory Blass, commissioner of Suffolk County Department of Socials Services, who emphasized the importance of such cooperative efforts given the increasing reliance on public and charitable assistance amid The Great Recession. “Government applications have skyrocketed and yet people are falling through the cracks,” Blass said.
A woman at the event with her five year old son, who both live in a shelter, gathered a full bag of “goodies” including a green-living blanket made from recycled cans and snacks for her son.
“This event, and LI Cares really helped me,” said the woman, who asked that her name not be used. “Because of their help… I hope that next year I won’t need to come back.”
Still, the work that charities like LI Cares does is never done. To donate of food, money and time, visit www.licares.org.