'Feed The Need' Campaign Hits $1 Million Fundraising Goal

EAST END, NY — A collaborative effort on the East End to help combat food insecurity during the pandemic has bought the community together. And on Tuesday, the not-for-profit organization All for the East End announced that the "Feed the Need Campaign" had hit its $1 million goal.

But the work will not stop, AFTEE said. It's expected that there will be an ongoing need for funding as the pandemic continues to leave individuals vulnerable, AFTEE said. And so, the hope is to raise a second $1 million to help East End food pantries, as well as other non-profits dealing with issues related to the coronavirus throughout the fall and winter months.

“We are grateful to all those who have supported AFTEE’s 'Feed the Need' campaign, but we know a great deal of help will still be needed,” said AFTEE President Claudia Pilato. “Not everyone went back to work this summer, and the demands on the pantries are still at unprecedented levels. As seasonal work winds down, unemployment benefits end and eviction restrictions are lifted, families will struggle."

Partnering with the Long Island Community Foundation, AFTEE has provided 56 grants totaling more than $900,000, a release said.

AFTEE's efforts to raise funds included producing a virtual concert featuring local artists; “Best Jams” can still be found on YouTube.

AFTEE also partnered with Peconic Land Trust, providing a grant to underwrite a pilot "Farm to Food Pantry" program; the program, located at Quail Hill Farm in Amagansett, provides fresh, locally grown produce to the Bridgehampton Child Care and Recreational Center, with the hopes of expanding to others organizations as the program grows.

Also, over the summer AFTEE, co-sponsored three weekends of Drive-in Movies, “Showtime in Southampton" to raise funds.

“Because of AFTEE’s unique position working with non-profits across the East End, we are able to discover common challenges and find collaborative solutions,” Pilato said.

In August with the support of the Bridgehampton Lions Club and the Town of Southampton, space was secured at the Bridgehampton Community Center, with freezers and refrigerators purchased and installed to provide shared space for three pantries. The Bridgehampton Lions Club donated $10,000 for the five industrial grade freezers and refrigerators, AFTEE said.

“This important resource provides the ability to expand acceptance and access to fresh produce and freezer stored proteins. This is the kind of creative problem-solving that is possible working together. I think the whole community can be proud of these efforts,” Pilato added.

Patch has partnered with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimates that in 2020, more than 54 million Americans will not have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.