While the location of Long Island between the Hamptons and New York City often affords it a reputation as immune from socioeconomic hardship, the region suffers from more food and housing insecurity than popular imagination permits. Food insecurity is an issue that Long Island Cares, founded by the late folk musician Harry Chapin, has been tackling in all its forms. The staff, too, at Long Island Cares, really does just that – cares.
Samantha Abella, an employee of Long Island Cares, has many responsibilities, including nutrition education. The Suny Plattsburgh alumna studied nutrition and has worked for various nutrition programs before starting at Long Island Cares in July of 2021.
“I love working with the community; it’s what drew me into Long Island Cares,” said Abella.
As Abella recounted her eventual specialty interest in nutrition, she said “it wasn’t really until high school when I was becoming more aware of the foods I was eating, a little bit more health-conscious.”
“We get a lot of attention in the media with holiday food drives – but people are hungry all year round, and people need help all year round,” said Abella.
Some of these routine nutrition programs provide nutritional education and assistance to various underserved or in-need demographics, such as children, seniors and Veterans.
One such program, The Kids’ Café program, is a part of a national initiative and seeks to partner with already existing after-school programs such as the Boys and Girls Clubs, Community Centers, Churches and more. The programs aim to improve the quality of these children’s lives by ensuring basic nutrition, helping them learn about healthy eating, and providing general support in a safe, friendly and convenient environment.
Kids’ Café provides free nutritious meals and snacks to children, a safe environment for educational and social activities, and a newsletter whereby children may learn even more.
Long Island Cares is preparing for the 2022 White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health in September, and plan to host a viewing of the conference at their recently opened Community Engagement Center, located at 75 David Drive in Hauppauge.
In the meantime, Abella has a couple of nutrition tips for those young and old alike:
1. Keep an open mind 2. Try new foods 3. Stop skipping breakfast!
