Island Harvest Food Bank, a leading Long Island hunger-relief organization, today announced it had received $96,500 from Stop & Shop’s Food for Friends campaign. According to Randi Shubin Dresner, president & CEO, Island Harvest Food Bank, funding received from the Food for Friends initiative will be used to hire a part-time, bi-lingual dietician to promote healthy eating habits among underserved populations in Nassau and Suffolk counties. Funding will also support Island Harvest Food Bank’s food collection and distribution programs.
“There’s a definitive link between hunger, and food insecurity, and the ability to manage chronic diseases that include diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease,” said Ms. Shubin Dresner. “Island Harvest Food Bank is providing healthier eating options to our clients that now include more fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products, and protein along with specialized nutritional guidance to help improve the overall health of the people we serve.”
Island Harvest Food Bank estimates that 58% of the households receiving food through its network of food pantries, soup kitchens, and emergency feeding programs have at least one member with high blood pressure, and 33% have a member with diabetes. Island Harvest Food Bank is driving a shift toward promoting better eating habits by offering healthier food choices that will eventually lead to more favorable health outcomes for people identified as food-insecure.
The food bank presently employs a full-time dietician to guide the organization on nutritional policy and promote healthier eating habits among its network of member agencies and direct clients but recognized a need to reach out to underserved, Spanish-speaking clients to offer nutritional advice and guidance such as how to prepare fresh food, shopping on a budget and resources. Therefore, Island Harvest Food Bank actively seeks to fill the part-time, bi-lingual dietician position and encourages people interested in sending their résumé to hr@islandharvest.org.
Stop & Shop’s Food for Friends campaign raised more than $2 million for its 12 regional food bank partners, breaking all previous years’ donation records. Throughout May 2021, customers were able to give at checkout knowing that donation would stay local and fight hunger in their communities. 100% of the money raised went to Stop & Shop’s regional food banks in its service areas. Customers were also able to donate non-perishable food items at marked donation bins at each Stop & Shop store to benefit local hunger relief organizations, like Island Harvest.
“Stop & Shop is a longtime and valued partner in our mission to provide essential food assistance and promote positive health outcomes of the people we serve,” said Ms. Shubin Dresner. “We appreciate their ongoing support and generosity and thank their customers for their caring, too.”
“Stop & Shop’s Food for Friends campaign is symbolic of our relationship with Island Harvest,” said Stefanie Shuman, Community Relations Manager for Stop & Shop. “We couldn’t ask for a better friend and partner in the fight against hunger on Long Island.”