Local Food, Toy Drives Help Needy During Holiday Season

For those struggling, the holiday season can be bleak and hopeless as families often find their cupboards bare, and the prospects dim for a visit from Santa.

That's why a series of food and toy drives have kicked off around the area to help those in need.

- Community Action of Southold Town always needs donations of food and other necessities to help those grappling with hunger and cold during the holiday season and year round. 

- With the spirit of giving in mind, Sea Tow Services International has kicked off a "Stuff a Boat" food drive to help the needy this holiday season. According to Sea Tow, the “Stuff A Boat” program is a national campaign that Sea Tow operators host nationwide, asking locals to donate non-perishable food, clothes, toys, appliances, pet food and blankets — stuffing their boats full of donated items before delivering them to a charitable organization for distribution to those in need. The event will take place from Dec. 7 through Dec. 14.

- Stop & Shop of Riverhead has teamed up with Island Harvest Food Bank in this year's Turkey and Trimmings Collection Campaign to help supply a holiday style meal to those in need. By purchasing a $10 pre-packaged box, available at any Long Island Stop & Stop store throughout November and December, customers will help Island Harvest provide struggling families and individuals with all of the items necessary for a holiday dinner. Long Islanders are also encouraged to donate a turkey, supermarket turkey coupons, non-perishable food items, supermarket gift cards or money to Island Harvest. 

- The Panera Bread in Riverhead is once again serving as a designated drop-off site for Island Harvest Food Bank’s annual Turkey & Trimmings Collection Campaign.  To lend a helping hand this holiday season, Panera Bread is asking its neighbors to donate frozen turkeys and non-perishable food items at any of its 24 Long Island bakery-cafes on or before December 24, 2013.  According to Randi Shubin Dresner, president and CEO of Island Harvest, nearly 300,000 Long Islanders, including 110,000 children struggle with food insecurity and depend on the Island Harvest network of emergency food providers. That's one out of every 10 Long Islanders. Donations of frozen turkeys and non-perishable food items can be dropped off from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. at any Nassau or Suffolk county Panera Bread now through December 24.

- The First Presbyterian Church of Southold recently collected 36 Thanksgiving baskets for the Family Service League, and roasted turkeys for a dinner a Migrant dinner, sponsored by the Long Island Council of Churches. The church also collects food for the North Fork Parish Outreach. To donate food or other items, call 631-765-2597. 

- A toy drive will take place at the Long Island Aquarium & Exhibition Center in Riverhead. Donations begin Friday, November 29 at Long Island Aquarium & Exhibition Center for an annual Holiday Donation Drive, this year benefitting the Mastic-based Colonial Youth and Family Services Agency. Colonial Youth, a charitable, tax exempt 501(c)(3) agency, is dedicated to promoting the physical, emotional, and social potential of youth and family members.The Aquarium is accepting new and unwrapped toys only on behalf of the organization and asks that all donations by dropped at the Aquarium’s main entrance during regular business hours. For more information about the Aquarium or toy drive, please call 631.208.9200, ext. H2O (426).