Virtual Shoppers Buy 1,800 Pounds Of Food For LI Food Bank

MINEOLA, NY — More than 1,800 pounds of food and other essential items have been purchased by "shoppers" who have scrolled through an online grocery store aisle while buying up cans of pasta sauce, fruit cups, rice, diapers and other goods to benefit the nonprofit Long Island Cares and the Harry Chapin Food Bank.

Sponsored by the Nassau County legislature, the drive launched Friday and is seeking to raise 5,000 pounds of food and essential items, including protective gear.

"An unprecedented amount of Long Island families are now turning to local food banks because of the additional financial burdens the virus has brought to Nassau County," Presiding Officer Richard Nicolello said in a news release.

To date, the Harry Chapin Food Bank has raised more than 71,000 pounds of goods through similar virtual food drives on the You Give Goods platform. In the first four weeks of operation, more than 64,000 meals have been distributed to thousands of seniors and children, the food bank announced.

The virtual food drive is also a fundraiser: In addition to the items shipped to the food bank, 5% of the purchase price is returned as funding to Long Island Cares.

In addition to the virtual food drive, Long Island Cares is expanding its physical presence. Last month, the organization opened an emergency food distribution center at the Valley Stream Presbyterian Church at 130 S. Central Ave.

For more information Harry Chapin Food Bank, and a list of items to "shop" for, visit the virtual food drive here.