FEBRUARY 2022 • LONGISLANDPRESS.COM 27
BRANCHES LONG ISLAND
A COMMUNITY TREE OF GIVING
BY BRIANA BONFIGLIO
It took just one person’s motivation
for helping others to grow the Middle
Island-based nonprofit organization
Branches Long Island.
The seed was planted when founder Samantha
Morales, a veterinary technician
and mother of four, began speaking with
pet owners and other moms who told her
they were having trouble paying for their
families’ food.
“I found myself helping a lot in the
community on local moms’ groups or
through Facebook, and would have people
leave milk or eggs on my porch,” Morales
says. “One day I said to my husband,
‘I’m going to start a nonprofit.’”
Branches officially sprouted from Morales’s
home in Coram, where she would
accept donations of food and toiletries,
hand out donations to those in need, and
also have volunteers pick up items to deliver
to families and individuals.
Since then, it’s become a tree of giving
in the community: Morales moved
the operation out of her home and into
the organization’s own food pantry in
Middle Island in May 2020, and a local
community center is slated to open
in April.
Branches runs its food pantry like a
family-friendly minimart, Morales says.
Those in need are given “blessing boxes”
that they are able to fill with whatever
items they choose. In addition to
food, volunteers try to maintain a steady
supply of diapers, wipes, pet food, baby
formula, and other necessities people
may need. Branches donates about 50
boxes per day, and volunteers also deliver
all across Long Island.
Morales explains that she wants Branches
to offer a positive experience that is different
from a typical food line, especially
for younger children who may feel embarrassed
to be there with their parents.
“We really try to make it very personable,”
she says. “The people who come are not
just another number or body on the line,
we treat them like they’re our friends or
family we’re helping.”
Morales also says she and volunteers
help visitors “get to the root of the problem”
by recommending services that
could further benefit them and alleviate
their need for assistance. The new Middle
Island community center will help
Branches expand those services.
For more information about Branches
Long Island, visit brancheslongisland.com
CHARITY SPOTLIGHT
CAP: Branches Long Island board members, from left to right, Jennifer Aviles,
Stephanie Gennett, Nicole Bell, and founder Samantha Morales
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