Woman Honored For Work To Feed Community During Pandemic

SAG HARBOR, NY— A Water Mill woman was honored Tuesday for her work to help feed the hungry on the East End during the coronavirus pandemic.

Suffolk County Legislator Bridget Fleming recognized Marit Molin of Water Mill as the winner of the “Suffolk County Woman of Distinction" award during Tuesday's general meeting of the Suffolk County Legislature in Hauppauge.

Later on Tuesday, Molin was presented with a proclamation at Fleming's Sag Harbor district office. Reverend Tina Pamela Norton, chair of the Suffolk County Women’s Advisory Commission, and Grace Ioannidis, director of the Office of Women’s Services, were also onhand.

In the face of the pandemic and the economic shutdown that left many struggling, Molin, the founder and executive director of Hampton Community Outreach, decided that she wanted to find a way to feed people in need in her community and help struggling restaurants stay afloat.

She began a fundraising campaign that raised $250,000 in cash and $70,000 in food donations, a release said.

In 2020, HCO delivered 5,000 cooked meals and 18,000 pounds of fresh produce. In addition, since March of 2020, HCO has delivered groceries and medical supplies to 150 households biweekly and continues to do so.

A licensed social worker and therapist, Molin said she saw the need for therapy among underserved individuals and raised funds that were used to provide that lifeline at no charge. She also started a tutoring program to help children in need of academic support, the release said.

Molin also created the #ICARE kindness campaign to address the needs of the marginalized; free services have included medical care for the poor and uninsured, birthday celebrations, and ongoing art and tennis instruction for children, Fleming said. In addition, Molin founded Hamptons Art Camp in 2018, where 40 percent of campers attend for no charge.

Since 2003, in recognition of Women’s History Month, the Suffolk County Legislature has honored local women in March recognizing and acknowledging their efforts to better the community and Suffolk County. One outstanding woman is chosen from each legislative district, and from that pool of honorees, an overall countywide winner is chosen by the Suffolk County Women’s Advisory Commission as the “Suffolk County Woman of Distinction.”

Fleming, who nominated Molin, said: “As this COVID-19 pandemic has brought strains and challenges to every member of our community, Marit has provided opportunities for girls and others to give of themselves to truly help their neighbors and community. Her initiative brilliantly served a double purpose. It has fed the hungry and offered a lifeline to local businesses in tough times. Every restaurant that participated is still in operation. Marit’s efforts shine and offer as a model for how volunteer service in the community has far-reaching and far-lasting beneficial effects on our community. She is well-deserving of the honor of Suffolk County’s 'Woman of Distinction.'"

Molin is also a troop leader for Girl Scout Troop #642, which consists of 11 girls who live on the Shinnecock Reservation. She and her husband have two children.

“I commend all of these women for their dedication to their communities, their extraordinary leadership, and their unending generosity when it comes to giving their time and attention to worthy causes,” said Suffolk County Legislature Presiding Officer Rob Calarco. “They are role models for young girls everywhere and the epitome of community stewardship. My colleagues in the legislature and I offer our congratulations and gratitude to Marit Molin and the other Woman of Distinction honorees.”