In December, Sid Jacobson JCC, the only full-service JCC on Long Island’s North Shore hosted engaged members and families at “Shine a Light on Hunger 2023,” to benefit the JCC’s Community Needs Bank and honoring members who work tirelessly to ensure food security for Nassau families.
The Community Needs Bank, a partner of Long Island Harvest Food Bank, is a collection site and distribution center of non-perishable and perishable foods, personal care, and household items for individuals and small local food pantries across Long Island and Queens. It is also a dedicated vocational training site for young adults with special needs.
The event exceeded its fundraising goal of more than $100,000.
Kenneth Migden, the President of Sterling Sanitary Supply Corporation Champion was the recipient of the “Champion of Light” award. The 14 “Ray of Light” youth award honorees spent the past year working with the Community Needs Bank in collecting food or personal care items, raising awareness, and raising funds.
“Hunger and food insecurity affects more than 41 million Americans every year and I am so proud of the work that the Sid Jacobson JCC family does to make a difference,” said Susan Berman, VP Community Engagement. “Kenneth Migden and the young people honored tonight are exemplary members of our community and they deserve every ounce of recognition they received at tonight’s ceremony. We always need to remember and care for those in need, but especially during this holiday season – when we have so much to be thankful for – we should take a page out of the books of our honorees and step up to do our part to battle food insecurity.”
Hundreds of local community members rely on Sid Jacobson JCC’s Community Needs Bank to address food insecurity. Approximately 60 families receive weekly food deliveries from SJJCC, including homebound seniors, those living with cancer, and Holocaust survivors. SJJCC also serves 20 local food pantries reaching hundreds of individuals and families in our area.
The event welcomed East Hills Mayor Michael Koblenz, Assemblymembers Charles Lavine and Gina Sillitti, and Nassau County Legislators Arnie Drucker and Josh Lafazan.
After the ceremony, participants were invited to The Nassau County Museum of Art’s Winter Lantern festival where they enjoyed a space-inspired drive-through light show to continue to shine a light.
To learn more or to make a donation, visit. www.sjjcc.org/cnb
—Submitted by Sid Jacobson JCC
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