Patch Picks: Nonprofits Making a Difference

Welcome to Patch Picks, a weekly feature highlighting editor and reader picks of great local businesses, destinations, services, organizations, ways to spend a day off and more. 

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Here are five local organizations working to improve the lives of other people.

Since 1992, Island Harvest has been delivering food to agencies including soup kitchens, food pantries, shelters, senior citizen homes, day cares and other emergency feeding centers across both Nassau and Suffolk County. They say they hope to reduce hunger among Long Island residents. According to a study conducted by Island Harvest and Feeding America (the national hunger relief organization) it was found that over 283,000 people on Long Island are at risk of going hungry. From this alarming number, 110,000 were children.

• Get Involved: Island Harvest says their doors are always open. Whether it is assisting in the transportation and delivery of food, helping with warehouse inventory or clerical functions at the Mineola office you too can make a difference.  
• Contact: (516) 294-8528, ext. 121

American Red Cross in Nassau County

Since 1917, the Nassau County Red Cross Chapter has worked together as team to prepare and respond to emergencies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The mission of the American Red Cross of Nassau County is to “provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.” The Nassau County Red Cross says they helped 481 affected individuals and families in the Nassau County area with food, shelter and necessary supplies in 2009. That same year, they also responded to 102 local disasters, most of which were house fires.

• Get Involved: The  says that 95 percent of their total workforce is comprised of volunteers. Children between the ages of 14 to 17 can become a youth volunteer and local residents who are 18 and older can be a general volunteer. In 2009 they said there was a total of 1,121 volunteers who contributed to making other people’s lives better under tragic circumstances.
• Contact: (516) 747-3500, ext. 239

Salvation Army

According to the Salvation Army, more than 78,000 residents in Nassau County are struggling with poverty. They say their goal is to help people by providing them with the assistance they may need. Last year alone the Salvation Army offered service to more than 33,000 individuals ranging from emergency assistance, senior citizen services, youth programs, and help for the poor. After the Salvation Army’s Mineola location moved to Hempstead, the building remained vacant until recently and is proposed to be .

• Get Involved: Whether you are the next bell ringer, assist in disaster response, coordinate activities or give a donation you can make an impact on the people’s lives that need it the most.
• Contact: (212) 337-7324

For over 90 years Girl Scouts of America say they are working to teach girls, ages 5 through 17, essential skills such as making decisions, being a leader and working as a team in order to improve society. Just in Nassau County alone they say there are 22,000 girl scouts supported by 7,000 adult volunteers and there are never too many members.

• Get Involved: A spokesperson from Girls Scouts of Nassau County says that no girl is ever turned down from girl scouting. They welcome adult volunteers to get involved with teaching new skills, helping to plan trips and becoming an advocate. Money that is raised by the Girl Scouts helps support the events and programming that is done in Nassau County.
• Contact: (516) 741-2550, ext. 225

Family and Children Association

For more than 125 years, the Family and Children’s Association has been helping local residents in need. Located in Mineola, this agency says they have worked to protect and strengthen vulnerable children and families on Long Island and in Queens. They offer support services and treatment programs, education for children and provide shelter for those in need for people of all ages.  

• Get Involved: The Family and Children’s Association welcomes volunteers who are looking to make a difference in their community. There say there are various opportunities available where you can make a difference in people’s lives.
• Contact: (516) 746-0350