Community Comes Together To Help Needy

As the temperatures drop, the town's needy are faced with the prospect of living without heat, shelter, or food and gifts for the holiday season.

Community Action of Southold Town works to provide essential resources to those struggling in the area.

Recently, CAST thanked, on its Facebook page, many who have offered help in recent weeks

"A special thank you to some terrific people who made wonderful contributions to CAST," the page read. 

The list includes: "A Greenport man who walked into the CAST office and presented CAST with a check for $1234. He raised and sold tomatoes all summer long and donated the money he made to CAST. Thank you for all of your hard work all summer and for being generously donating to CAST," the page said.

In addition, Sang Lee farms donated "many bushels of produce" for CAST's clients. 

North Fork Parish Outreach shared a donation they received of fresh kale and lettuce so more people could enjoy fresh produce.  Brick Oven pizza sent a pizza for CAST clients.

Southold 7-11 and Blue Duck Bakery of Southold continue to "share their overflow with us, week after week."

CAST also thanked volunteers Richard and Jennifer Simek who bring overflow bakery products for clients from BJs and local IGA supermarkets.

In addition, CAST staffers said to Marc Sokol recently donated two new computers to assist the CAST staff in doing their jobs.

Looking forward, the 8th Annual CAST Holiday Happening takes place on Saturday, Nov. 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Southold Town Recreation Center on Peconic Lane.

The event includes vendors, local artisans, baked goods, a cafe, a crafts table, face painting a marketplace, a train display and raffles. Photos with Santa can be taken between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Admission is free. For more information call 631-477-1717.

Also, as the weather gets colder, CAST will be assisting clients eligible for Home Energy Assistance through the Suffolk County Department of Social Services. HEAP opens on Nov. 18. Call CAST at 477-1717 to schedule an appointment to fill out a HEAP application.