Jefferson's Ferry donates 527 lbs of food to Island Harvest

During the first two weeks of March, Jefferson’s Ferry Life Plan Community residents and staff held a “Stuff a Bus” food drive, collecting 527 pounds of non-perishable items which were then delivered to Island Harvest Food Bank for distribution. The group effort was part of the Jefferson’s Ferry Foundation’s community outreach efforts to support Long Islanders in need.

Island Harvest has become Long Island’s largest hunger-relief organization, which delivers millions of pounds of food to a network of 570 Long Island-based food pantries, soup kitchens and other non-profit organizations that offer feeding services for those in need.

Jefferson’s Ferry residents shopped for items on Island Harvest’s “wish list” at their community’s Country Store, which had been specially stocked for the food drive by resident Jan Parker, so that her Jefferson’s Ferry neighbors could shop while staying close to home. The response was tremendous and immediate. The Jefferson’s Ferry Foundation office was overflowing with donations, which were dutifully sorted and packaged by Jefferson’s Ferry intern Matthew Richman.

“The enthusiasm of our residents and staff is matched by their generosity,” said Jefferson’s Ferry President and Chief Executive Officer Robert E. Caulfield. “Our residents are invested in the well-being of the Long Island community at large and eager to give back.”

Caption: Jefferson’s Ferry President and CEO Bob Caulfield joins Jefferson’s Ferry residents and staff members as they “stuffed the bus” for delivery to the Island Harvest Food Bank. The bus carried 527 pounds of shelf stable food for distribution to Long Islanders in need.

About Jefferson’s Ferry (www.jeffersonsferry.org)

Jefferson’s Ferry is a nonprofit Life Plan community for active adults age 62 and above, with Independent living cottages, apartments, assisted living, and a quality health care center all on one site. Located in South Setauket, a vibrant community along Long Island’s north shore, Jefferson’s Ferry is surrounded by various attractions, shopping, beaches, theaters, and a world-renowned university. Jefferson’s Ferry offers exceptional living and amenities, including restaurants, fitness center, indoor pool, computer center, library, recreational areas, gardens, and gazebos. A mix of cultural excursions, civic activities, and a community of residents who participate in shaping Jefferson’s Ferry’s future, ensures a spirited and engaged lifestyle.

The Vincent Bove Health Center at Jefferson’s Ferry earned a 5-star rating from The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and was named a “Best Of” nursing home by U.S. News & World Report. Jefferson’s Ferry as a whole received the industrywide Community Choice Award for resident satisfaction and engagement and Pinnacle Quality Insight’s 2019 Customer Experience Award. FitchRatings has assigned Jefferson’s Ferry a BBB+ bond rating. Locally, Jefferson’s Ferry has consistently been voted Best Retirement Community and Best Assisted Living on Long Island by The Long Island Press. Jefferson’s Ferry has also regularly been recognized for Excellence by the Hauppauge Industrial Association’s Business Achievement Awards program.