THE COMMUNITY PANTRY AT SYJCC: FEEDING LONG ISLAND’S HUNGRY

The Community Pantry at the Suffolk Y JCC serves a wide range of individuals in need throughout Long Island. This includes homebound seniors and low-income individuals and families. Nearly half of the people we help are poor or near-poor, with long-term food insecurity. The other half are now struggling because of the COVID-19 pandemic and related unemployment, unanticipated child care needs, and our overall economic climate. Since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020, requests for assistance have quadrupled. We receive new requests every single day.

The Community Pantry provides non-perishable foods, household supplies, and personal care items for those who cannot come to our facility. We rely on a committed corps of volunteers to be able to keep deliveries going.

For those who are mobile, we have a Community Pantry drop-in site at our SYJCC building. This volunteer-facilitated space provides food to individuals and families struggling with food insufficiency in a dignified fashion. Volunteer donors bring food, toiletries, and cleaning supplies and help organize the space. Those in need come to shop (at no charge) for what they need (see details and hours below).  More than 40 individuals and families benefit from our Pantry each day, and this number will continue to grow with support from the community.

As our programs grow, so does the need for support from our community.  There are many ways you can help!

SUPPORT
Please consider making a monetary donation to help The Pantry during this critical time. Your support will help feed thousands of Long Islanders suffering from food insecurity.

VOLUNTEER

Volunteers are integral to SYJCC, enabling us to help reach our neighbors who need assistance. Current Volunteer opportunities include:
During these unprecedented times, your help is vital to our community.
Current volunteer opportunities are:
Passover Volunteer Opportunity 
Help make Passover special for a senior in our community. Make and deliver a home cooked Passover meal. The SYJCC will match each volunteer with a senior in the community.
Deliveries will be made on Tuesday, April 4 and Wednesday, April 5, 2023 before Passover begins.
Please register before March 24, 2023 to be matched with a senior
To Register, please

Passover Item Collection

Help donate Passover items to those in need.

Gefilte Fish | Grape Juice | Chicken Broth | Matzah Ball Soup Mix | Canned Vegetables | Canned Fruit | Apple Sauce | Cakes or Cookies  or mixes| Tea Bags | Macaroons | Matzah | Canned Vegetables

All items must be marked “Kosher for Passover” and unexpired.

Drop off donations in the SYJCC lobby from now-April 3, 2023

Community Garden Prep

Join us to help prepare the garden for this year’s growing season.

Sunday, March 19, 2023 | 10:00 am-12:00 pm

Please call Robin, x146 for more information

The Community Pantry at the SYJCC
Assist Pantry visitors to collect the items they request, and help organize donated items on the Pantry shelves. The Pantry is located at the rear of the SYJCC building. To volunteer, please choose a time slot on the calendar by clicking below.
Meal Delivery to Seniors
Pick-up packages fresh meals from the Suffolk Y JCC and deliver them to senior citizens in the community. Pick-up and delivery times are weekdays between 11:00 am-12:00 pm.
Grocery Shopping
Place and/or pick up an online shopping order for a local, homebound senior and deliver it to their home. Days and times will vary.
Pantry Package Delivery
Pick-up packages from the Community Pantry and deliver to those requiring assistance from the Pantry. Days and times are flexible to meet your schedule.

Community Garden

Help is needed to pick the vegetables, fruits and herbs that are growing in the gardens in the rear of the building, as well as to weed, water, and otherwise maintain the gardens. Help to clean up and prepare the garden for the off-season.

Volunteer hours: Sundays 3:00-5:00 pm (seasonal)

Sunshine for Seniors

Add some happiness to the birthday celebration of a senior who is isolated and homebound. Put together a “Birthday Box” which could include a small dessert, flowers, and or a small gift, and then deliver the box to the senior.

Organize a Pantry Collection

Collect items for the Community Pantry at your house of worship, school, community organization or local supermarket. We will provide collection bins, flyers, signs and guidance.

One-Day Events

Lend a hand at one of the many events that occur during the course of the year at SYJCC, such as the Fall Festival, Thanksgiving Collection Day, Winter Coat Drive, and Taste of Passover Event.

For more information or questions, please contact Robin Spencer, our Volunteer Coordinator, x146 or email rspencer@syjcc.org