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CONGRESSWOMAN MCCARTHY TOURS ISLAND HARVEST FOOD BANK

Written by Don  |  18. April 2011

MINEOLA, NY - April 18, 2011 -Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy recently met with officials from Island Harvest, Long Island's food bank, to discuss the issue of hunger on Long Island, specifically in the Fourth Congressional District. The Congresswoman also toured Island Harvest's Uniondale warehouse to see firsthand how food is moved from those with excess to those who in need. Randi Shubin Dresner, president and CEO of Island Harvest, guided Congresswoman McCarthy through the warehouse explaining how Island Harvest collects food, immediately inventories it and then prepares it for distribution among its network of nearly 600 food pantries shelters and soup kitchens across Long Island, including 151such feeding programs in the 4th Congressional District. In 2010, Island Harvest distributed 3.9 million pounds of food to these programs in the areas represented by the Congresswoman, providing critical supplemental food support for the most vulnerable constituents in the district. "I can't think of a better partner in fighting for nutritional health than Island Harvest. Thousands of families get help every year thanks directly to the selfless work of this critical organization. I'm thankful that Island Harvest is here for the people of Long Island," said Congresswoman McCarthy. Congresswoman McCarthy also received an update on the success of Island Harvest's Weekend Backpack Program, which each week provides shelf-stable food packs to 723 students in eight schools in Elmont, North Valley Stream, Roosevelt and Westbury. The program is for children who rely on school lunches during the week, but may not have enough to eat when school is not in session on the weekends and during holiday breaks. Island Harvest also runs a Summer Feeding Program that provides weekday lunches to 434 children in Freeport, Roosevelt and Westbury during July and August. "Long Island is fortunate to have Congresswoman McCarthy as a strong advocate on behalf of a number of critical public health issues including hunger and childhood nutrition," said Ms. Shubin Dresner. "Island Harvest is even more fortunate to have her as such an ardent supporter and good friend." For more information about Island Harvest and to learn how to donate please visit www.islandharvest.org. About Island Harvest Fighting hunger and touching lives, Island Harvest serves as the bridge between those who have surplus food and those who need it, supplying over 570 community-based nonprofit organizations on Long Island with critical food support to help stem the advancing tide of hunger in our communities. Island Harvest has delivered more than 71 million pounds of food, supplementing nearly 54 million meals, since its inception in 1992. In support of its mission to end hunger and reduce food waste on Long Island, the organization is actively involved in education, outreach, advocacy, job training and hunger awareness programs. Island Harvest is a member of Feeding America. For more information about Island Harvest, visit www.islandharvest.org. Photo Caption Randi Shubin Dresner (right) displays some of the donated food packages destined for Long Island's food pantries to Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy. Photo file can be located at: http://hldnow.com/Pr/page/McCarthy2.asp

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