Membership to Long Island Cares is open to community-based programs providing meals or food packages such as food pantries, soup kitchens, senior centers, shelters, daycare centers, and rehabilitation programs.
Running a food program requires a major commitment of time, funds, and energy. To become a member of the Long Island Cares network, your organization must be an established food program or distributor that:
- Has been in operation for at least three (3) months and serving clients a minimum of once a month.
- Is a tax-exempt organization as described in the 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service of the U.S. Treasury Department. A copy of your organization’s 501(c)(3) must be provided.
- Is located in a “community of need” or serves a special-needs population.
- Does not operate out of a personal residence.
- Does not share space with programs from other organizations. Your storage area holds only those items issued for the use of your organization.
- Does not and will not sell, transfer or barter items. (Transfer includes removing any food bank-delivered product from the approved site to any other location.)
- Provides food free to all clients. Clients are not asked for donations or requested to participate in religious services to receive food.
- Does not discriminate based on race, color, religious beliefs, age, disabilities, limited English language proficiency, sex, or sexual preference.
- Keeps records of the number of people served and inventory-control records to monitor the food product. Proof of these records must be shown before membership is granted.
- Maintains high standards of sanitation and food safety concerning food storage, distribution, and meal preparation.
- Is willing to have its site(s) visited as needed by a representative of the food bank.
- Agrees to place an order for food within the first three months of membership or forfeits its membership. Your food program must place orders for food at least once every three months after that or risk the inactivation of your participation.
- Agrees to complete monthly meal-count reports and submit them to the food bank for reporting purposes.
- Agrees to provide the food bank with necessary information regarding any change in program/administrative location, primary staffing, structure, etc. promptly.
- Practices active means of encouraging participation and utilization of your services to all community segments (e.g., outreach, flyers, etc.).
- Maintains sufficient storage space to receive products.
- Will have appropriate personnel present at your delivery location on the days of scheduled deliveries to receive products from the food bank.
If you are interested in becoming a member agency, please email Sonia Pluchinotta or call 631-582-FOOD (3663) ext. 110.
Not ready to become a member agency? Consider partnering with agencies already distributing food in your community by providing volunteer or financial support to help them expand their hours or the number of people they serve.