"Nassau County - Long Island, New York"

Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano was joined today joined by officials from Island Harvest, Korean American Public Affairs Committee (KAPAC), Lighthouse Mission and the Interfaith Nutrition Network to challenge business, government and non-profit organizations to help address the immediate hunger crisis, as well as to discuss the major decrease in supplies at local food banks to feed the homeless during the holiday season. KAPAC, responding to the food shortage with the support of the members of Arumdaun Korean Presbyterian Church in Bethpage and otherKorean community organizations, donated 100 turkeys to Island Harvest.

“I have always believed that local organizations and businesses are the heart of our community, and this donation is a great illustration of why they are so important,” said County Executive Mangano. “Nassau County is fortunate to have the support of local organizations like Island Harvest in our fight against hunger and I urge everyone to help solve the hunger crisis here in Nassau County by donating what they can,” said Mangano.

Upon recognizing the abundance of families on Long Island who face hunger, which is well into the thousands, local hunger relief organizations have come together to provide meals to families in need this Thanksgiving. However, due to the hardships of the economy, many organizations are being forced to donate less expensive chickens rather than turkeys, in order to provide for more families.

The partnership between these organizations is an important example of how non-profits, local governments and local business can come together to serve their community and help solve critical issues, like hunger, affecting the residents in Nassau County.

“If all just gave a little, there would be no shortage food, clothing, or shelter,” said Mangano. “I thank the Korean American Public Affairs Committee for heeding our call for food this Thanksgiving.”

David Lee, President of the Korean American Public Affairs Committee, added, “The Korean community has always believed in the spirit of giving and desires to share blessings with its neighbors this Thanksgiving. For the past 7 years through the collaboration of churches and communities we have donated hundreds of turkeys to the Village of Hempstead,the Town of Oyster Bay,other communities and soup kitchens every year.”

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 and involuntary lack of access to food.Nearly 300,000 Long Islanders – over one-third of them are children – face the risk hunger everyday according to a study by Island Harvest and Feeding America, a national hunger relief organization. Approximately 70,000 individuals seek food assistance in Nassau and Suffolk Counties each week through soup kitchens, food pantries and other feeding programs. Catholic Charities estimates that 40,000 persons aged 60 or over on Long Island are living on $1,000 per month or less.

“The organizations that were in attendance today truly understand that charity begins at home, and I applaud them for their generosity and hope other organizations follow this incredible example of giving,” said Mangano. “Thanks to their continued generosity, thousands of Long Island families who otherwise would have gone without will enjoy a brighter, more hopeful holiday.”

Residents interested in donating or assisting hunger relief organizations can contact:

Mangano Joins Hunger Relief Organizations In Emergency Press Conference To Assist Those In Need This Thanksgiving