Hauppauge, NY - June 2, 2016 - Citing a strict adherence to best practices, demonstration of strong financial health, and an ongoing commitment to accountability and transparency, Charity Navigator, the nation’s leading charity evaluator, has designated Island Harvest Food Bank a four-star charity for the third year in a row, according to Randi Shubin Dresner, president and CEO, of the Hauppauge-based hunger-relief organization.

One prevailing and a significant factor in determining the four-star designation is that 95.9% of Island Harvest Food Bank’s annual expenses go directly to programs and services that assist more than 316,000 Long Islanders who struggle with hunger.

According to Charity Navigator, seven out of 10 charities evaluated spend at least 75% of their budget on the programs and services, and nine out of 10 spend at least 65%. A statement on Charity Navigator’s website says that “those spending less than a third of their budget on program expenses are simply not living up to their missions.”

In a letter notifying Island Harvest Food Bank of the four-star designation, Michael Thatcher, president and CEO of Charity Navigator wrote, “Island Harvest outperforms most other charities in America.” He added, “This exceptional designation from Charity Navigator sets Island Harvest apart from its peers and demonstrates to the public its trustworthiness.” 

“Charity Navigator’s four-star evaluation for three straight years is a validation of Island Harvest Food Bank’s ongoing dedication to fulfilling our mission to end hunger and reduce food waste on Long Island in an efficient, fiscally responsible manner,” said Shubin Dresner. “Our financial and in-kind donors’ support of what we do is based solely on trust and Charity Navigator’s four-star rating help assure that the trust they place in us is being met.”

Charity Navigator’s objective is to provide donors with information necessary to gain greater confidence in the organizations they support. In all, just 14% of all organizations evaluated by Charity Navigator receive at least three consecutive four-star designations, its highest rating. The rating agency estimates that in 2015 it influenced approximately $10 billion in charitable gifts.

Charity Navigator’s report for Island Harvest Food Bank can be found here.

About Hunger on Long Island
Hunger is a state in which people do not get enough food to provide the nutrients for active and healthy lives. It can result from the recurrent lack of access to food. More than 316,000 Long Islanders face the risk of hunger every day, according to Island Harvest Food Bank and Feeding America, a national hunger-relief organization. Those facing hunger include adults (often working two jobs), seniors and veterans. Unable to make ends meet, they (and their children) are often forced to go without food. Approximately 70,000 individuals seek food assistance in Nassau and Suffolk counties each week through soup kitchens, food pantries and other feeding programs served by Island Harvest Food Bank.

About Island Harvest Food Bank
Island Harvest Food Bank is a leading hunger-relief organization that provides food and other resources to people in need. Always treating those it helps with dignity and respect, its goal is to end hunger and reduce food waste on Long Island through efficient food collection and distribution; enhanced hunger-awareness and nutrition-education programs; job training; and direct services targeted at children, senior citizens, veterans and others at risk. Approximately 96 cents of every dollar donated to Island Harvest Food Bank goes to programs that support more than 316,000 Long Islanders. Island Harvest Food Bank is a lead agency in the region’s emergency-response preparedness for food and product distribution, and is a member of Feeding America, the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief organization. More information can be found at www.islandharvest.org.