JULY 2021 • LONGISLANDPRESS.COM 27
CHARITY SPOTLIGHT
THE INTERFAITH NUTRITION NETWORK (THE INN)
FIGHTING POVERTY AND HUNGER
BY BRIANA BONFIGLIO
Though not open to guests indoors since
March 2020, the Interfaith Nutrition
Network (The INN) keeps its food, job,
housing, and mental health assistance
programs running in new ways.
The Hempstead nonprofit organization’s
Mary Brennan INN soup kitchen on
Fulton Avenue typically served food to
hundreds of Long Islanders in need, who
would sit inside the large cafeteria each
day. Now, they stand outside and walk up
to a window for their meals.
“We never completely closed the doors,”
says Dana Lopez, The INN’s director of
marketing and communications. “We
served — not in the same way — but
we turned our programs around and
adjusted.”
In addition to providing hot meals, The
INN offers emergency and long-term
housing assistance, as well as aid with
other needs such as finances, mental
health, and finding jobs, at its resource
center, the Center for Transformative
Change (CTC), next door to the soup
kitchen. The CTC building is also closed
indoors for the time being, but staff and
volunteers at The INN have set up tents
and other outdoor structures to continue
to assist people in person.
“The Town of Hempstead was hit really
hard with Covid,” Lopez says, “and we
don't want to put anyone in a situation
where they would still be in danger.
We’re hoping as soon as possible that
people will be able to come inside rather
than stand outside.”
With a grant from the Town of Hempstead
during the pandemic, The INN continued
providing hot meals and soups as
well as donating other necessities such
as soap, diapers, wipes, shampoo and
conditioner, and nonperishable food
items.
The INN served 221,000 meals to about
57,000 people in 2020, more than double
the number it served in 2019. The organization
has also worked with the town
and Northwell Health to facilitate vaccination
appointments for their guests.
When The INN first formed in 1983, it
was a small group of volunteers running
a soup kitchen out of a church in
the Hempstead area. The organization
now consists of 58 paid workers and
more than 1,200 volunteers, and it’s still
looking to expand when it receives more
financial support.
“People don’t think of poverty when
they think of Long Island; they think of
wealth. The truth is there’s both,” Lopez
says. “By recognizing that early on in
the ’80s, The INN has been able to make
sure that anybody is welcomed, treated
with dignity and respect, and helped in
whatever way they can.”
A volunteer at the Mary Brennan INN soup kitchen in Hempstead. (Courtesy The INN)
PRESS BUSINESS
NONPROFIT FUNDRAISERS
‘DO THIS’ FOR A CAUSE
WEEKENDS, COFFEE, AND
DOGS
Join the Southampton Animal Shelter
Foundation at the Golden Pear Cafe,
which is donating a portion of their
coffee sales to the shelter. There will
be adoptable dogs, merchandise, and
more. 99 Main St., Southampton,
southamptonanimalshelter.com 9-11
a.m. July 3.
YARD SALE FOR WILDLIFE
Look for treasures among household
goods, collectibles, antiques, small
pieces of furniture, and much more at
the Sweetbriar Nature Center to support
its mission of providing nature
education and wildlife rehabilitation.
62 Eckernkamp Dr,. Smithtown, sweetbriarnc.
org 9 a.m.-2 p.m. July 10.
VOLUNTEER MORNING AT RESTORATION
FARM
Giving the opportunity to donate time
is Restoration Farm, which is firmly
committed to sustainable agriculture,
never using herbicides, pesticides, or
synthetic fertilizers. The focus remains
on building healthy soil through cover
cropping, mulching, and minimal tillage.
140 Bethpage Sweet Hollow Rd.,
Old Bethpage, restorationfarm.com 9
a.m.-12 p.m. July 10.
RESCUING FAMILIES 3RD ANNUAL
RESTORING HOPE BBQ
Rescuing Families aims to help people
with disabilities and financial hardships
by improving the hurdles in their
homes. The fundraiser is at VFW Post
2718 and includes a BBQ buffet, drinks
and dessert. The event will include
lawn games, a live miniature horse
racing track, raffle baskets, wheel of
fortune, family activities, and more.
$40 adults, $15 for kids 12 and under.
68 Lincoln Rd., Franklin Square. 5-10
p.m. July 11.
SWING FOR KIDS - 30TH ANNIVERSARY
ANNUAL GOLF
TOURNAMENT
In addition to presenting world-class
performances, Tilles Center for the
Performing Arts at LIU Post educates
children and adult learners throughout
Nassau, Suffolk, and Queens counties
each year through its arts education
programs. $100-$10,000. The Creek
Club, 1 Horse Hollow Rd., Locust Valley,
tillescenter.org/swingforkids July 12.
HALSEY HOUSE PICNIC
Enjoy a picnic basket cooler filled with
quick bites, local products, and a bottle
of sparkling wine to take home for
friends and family while supporting
the Southampton History Museum.
$400-$20,000. 249 South Main St.,
Southampton, southamptonhistory.
org 2-4 p.m. July 17.
LONG ISLAND ROARING ‘20S
GALA
Friends of Karen works to provide a
lifeline for families caring for a child
with cancer or another life-threatening
illness. The fundraiser includes
auctions, live music, and entertainment.
$200. Stonebridge Golf Links
& Country Club, 2000 Raynors Way,
Smithtown, friendsofkaren.org 6:30
p.m. July 21.
EMPIRE STATE RIDE LONG ISLAND
This biking event will benefit cancer
patients at Catholic Health on Long Island
and Roswell Park Comprehensive
Cancer Center in Buffalo. Routes are
10-, 25- and 62-miles, offering a perfect
option for every age and skill level. $25.
Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park, 25
West End Ave., Oyster Bay, esrlongisland.
com 7 a.m.-12 p.m. July 24.
-Compiled by William Sullivan
Charitable BBQs are among July’s
fundraisers. (Getty Images)
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/southamptonanimalshelter.com
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/swingforkids
/friendsofkaren.org
