RSS 2.0 FeedArchives before June 26, 2010, Freeport-Baldwin Leader
LI Cares opens Freeport site
by Lauren Urban
The Nassau Service Center, an ancillary program of Long Island Cares Inc., opened its doors in Freeport on June 14.
“This is a very proud day for Long Island Cares,” said Executive Director Paule Pachter at the June 10 ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The Long Island Cares Nassau Service Center, at 9 West Sunrise Highway at the corner of Church Street, offers a diverse range of community services for people suffering from hunger or food insecurity.
It provides emergency food, clothing, personal care items and household supplies. It even became the first food bank in the Northeast to open a pet pantry, since many people can no longer afford to feed their cats and dogs.
“So many people make a charity a hobby. Very few people make it their lives. Paule [Pachter] and Long Island Cares have made helping the less fortunate their life’s work,” said county Legislator David Denenberg, a Democrat from Merrick.
The Nassau Service Center staff will consist of Long Island Cares leaders, community volunteers, student interns and a full-time bilingual entitlement and outreach specialist.
The staff will aim to educate those seeking help in areas such as finding employment.
The Nassau Service Center “is about so much more than just helping someone find a meal. It’s the first stop, not the last stop...Long Island Cares understands that you need to help people help themselves, so they don’t have to come back again and again,” added Legislator Denenberg.
The Village of Freeport Community Development Agency and the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Shelter Rock provided the funding for the center’s construction and annual rent.
The Nassau Service Center is open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Evening and weekend hours may be arranged in advance, based upon need.
