Community Corner
Food Drives Scheduled To Replenish Pantries For Needy
Neighbors are asked to help neighbors with food donations during a time of need.
It's all about neighbors helping neighbors.
Faced with a flagging economy, Community Action of Southold Town, an organization that helps those in need, has organized food drives to help stock food pantry shelves and alleviate shortages.
CAST is not only organizing the food drives, as well as the upcoming "Grow A Row" program, but is seeking volunteers.
According to Director Sarah Benjamin, CAST will be having a supermarket food drive on Saturday, June 1 at the Greenport IGA, Southold IGA, King Kullen and Waldbaums.
CAST is currently looking for volunteers to help collect donations outside each of the supermarkets. Shifts begin at 9:30 a.m. and run through 2:15 p.m.
CAST's food pantry is a resource that helps struggling families stretch their monthly budget by providing basic food items.
Those looking to help can purchase non-perishable food items to donate and help stock the food pantry's dwindling supplies.
According to Benjamin, CAST's food pantry has seen an increase in requests over the past few months; there has been difficulty in keeping the shelves stocked due to the increased requests for help.
Those not at the supermarket on June 1 who wish to make a contribution to the CAST food pantry can do so: Most local supermarkets have a collection bin for CAST where non-perishable food items can be dropped off.
CAST also accepts donations at its Greenport office Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until noon and 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. -- or in Mattituck one day a week. For more information about where and how to donate, call 631-477-1717.
In addition, CAST's Grow-A-Row program is underway again for another year. CAST will accept donations of fresh produce from local farm stands and home gardeners. Gardeners are asked to plant an extra "row," or even just an extra plant or two, then donate the surplus produce to CAST's food pantries.
Fresh produce provides nutritional benefits and is a welcome surprise to the needy who utilize the food pantry, CAST organizers said.
Those donating to CAST should check the dates on food items; CAST is prohibited from accepting food donations after the "best by" date.
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