As 2022 comes to an end, we want to say THANK YOU for the love and support you give to those in need. Every day, we witness our neighbors work as hard as they can to provide for themselves and their families. Thousands of our community members rely on our services to put food on the table, keep the heat on, and bring comfort and joy to their children. Luckily, we are able to provide a helping hand thanks to donors like you.

Please enjoy our final newsletter of 2022!

Pictured: Maribel storing soup prepared by Delaney Oser and the Southampton Kiwanis

This month, we had 570 visits to the Food Pantry, the busiest December we’ve ever had. Thanks to your generous donations, this month our customers not only received regular weekly groceries but also holiday meal bags packed with everything for a festive holiday breakfast and special turkey dinner.

This year we provided more meals worth of food and had more visits to our pantry than any other year in our 42 year history. We heard often that the food our customers get from us is sometimes the only food coming in to their home. So we started giving extra meals, especially for kids over summer break, weekends, and school vacations and we increased the amount of food we give at each weekly distribution. In 2022, we had 6,713 visits and provided 217,987 of meals worth of food to neighbors struggling to get by. Compare that to 5,994 and 193,964 respectively, in 2020.

With the busiest months before us, will you help us ensure our neighbors have food for their families this winter? 

We couldn’t do what we do without you and the constant support of LI Cares, Island Harvest and HAPCO Farms! 

Thank you to our special Food Pantry helpers this month:

• Tuckahoe Common School held a food and sock drive
• The Milk Pail donated crates of apples 
• Provisions Market donated over 100 loaves of bread
• Kiwanis Club donated 40 holiday meal boxes and delicious winter soup 
• Southampton Town Animal Control hosted a food drive 
• Tate’s and North Sea Farms donated bread and baked goods 
• Southampton Town Police donated baked hams
• Golden Pear donated fresh bread

Want to do more to help? Sign up here to organize a food drive to help feed our neighbors.

Pictured: HOH volunteers helping a senior move

In the month of December our Assistance Program met 28 requests for emergency financial help.

The cases included:

• Medical rides for seniors
• A motorized wheelchair for a double amputee in partnership with St. Rosalie's Church Outreach
• Heat, Water, and Electric bills for several families struggling to make ends meet
• Gaps in rent for a client battling cancer and another recovering from surgery
• Moved a senior veteran into his new home
• A security deposit for a food pantry client who is being evicted and found a room to rent

Sometimes the hardships we see can be devastating but the gratitude from our clients and your support are amazing! Whether you volunteered, participated in the plunge, gave a donation, or a gift for a child, know that you are changing someone’s life! 

Here are two of our favorite success stories from this year:

An older single mom with health issues and her adult disabled son were homeless for over a year after their landlord almost doubled their rent. Each day mom struggled to keep life normal while trying to move them forward. We helped with food, an address for medical supplies to be sent, and warm clothing. Then things started to fall in to place. The son found a job so the mom was then free to find one for herself, they found an apartment and we provided the security deposit and first months rent. We are happy to see them each week at food pick-up and know they are making it! 

A certified nurse was living in a hotel with her teenage kids for 3 years after leaving an abusive home. Mom worked 7 days a week to pay the hotel cost, never able to save for a more permanent home. A week before Christmas they finally found an affordable apartment and reached out to us for help with the two months security deposit. When we asked if there was anything else we could provide to help them get settled all they asked for was food. Food - we’ve got that! 

Thank you for loving our neighbors! 

Pictured: Our stars displayed at Hildreth's Dept. Store, Fred Vazac donating bikes, all the toys collected

Our 30th Annual Holiday Star Program successfully distributed new gifts to 246 families and 615 local children. Every child received 2 toys or gift cards for teens, plus stocking stuffers, books, board games, pajamas, and hats and gloves. We are so grateful to partner with the First Presbyterian Church of Southampton for this incredible week of joy! 

A HUGE thank you to each of you that picked up a star and donated a gift. Together, we gave over 1,200 presents, plus all the extras, to local parents to give to their children this holiday season. 

Thank you to all of the generous businesses and churches involved: 27 Hampton Salon, Channing Daughters Vineyard, Dime Bank – Sag Harbor, Dormition of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church of the Hamptons, Emporium Hardware – True Value Sag Harbor, First Presbyterian Church Southampton, Fowler’s Garden Center, Hildreth’s Home Goods, John Jermain Library, La Carezza, North Sea Hardware, Our Lady of Poland, Page Restaurant, Pellegrino’s Pizza Bar and Restaurant, Rogers Memorial Library, Sen Restaurant, Southrifty Drug, St. John’s Episcopal Church, Stevenson’s Toys, Stony Brook Hospital, The Children’s School, The Wharf Shop, United Methodist Church Southampton

Thank you to Laura Weinbrecht, the Pajama Program, and the Pajama Project for donating pajamas, and to Rogers Memorial Library and The Children’s School for donating books. 

Want to get involved in the New Year? Sign up here to join our team of dedicated volunteers and make a difference in your community!

The most amazing part of our annual Polar Bear Plunge is everyone coming together. It takes a Village and we have the best one!

Thank you to every plunger, sponsor, volunteer, donor, lifeguard, emergency responder, village staff member, and food sponsor.

We love you all! ❤

Haven't donated yet? Send a donation now before the end of the year to ensure no one has to go hungry this winter.

• AFTEE
• Alternatives for Children
• ARF Hamptons
• Argento Southampton
• Armin & Judy
• Athelta, Bridgehampton
• Basilica Parish of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary
• Boyscouts Troup 58
• Catena's Market
• Compass Cares
• East End Food Insitute
• First Presbyterian Church
• Goldberg's
• Golden Pear Cafe
• Hamptons United
• Hamptons United Methodist Church
• HAPCO Farms/Fresh from the Start 
• Hometown Taxi
• I Love Ukraine
• Island Harvest
• Jones and Little
• Kiwanis Club
• The Gertrude and Leonard McComb Foundation
• Long Island Cares
• Mayor Jesse Warren and the Village Board of Trustees 

• North Sea Farms
• Old Town Lodge Free Masons
• Organización Latino-Americana
• Peconic Prime Meats
• Pro Bono Partnership
• Provisions
• Rogers Family Farm
• Rogers Memorial Library
• Sabrosa Mexican Grill
• Share the Harvest
• Sip 'n Soda
• Southampton Little League
• Southampton History Museum
• Southampton Rotary
• Southampton Union Free School District
• Spanish Apostolate 
• Supervisor Jay Schneiderman and the Southampton Town Board
• Supplies for Success
• Tate's
• The Avenues School
• The Children's School
• Twin Forks Fuel 

Thank you for your incredible support!

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1. What is the best way to help?

Monetary donations directly help us to feed our neighbors in need. Donate here!

2. Are you accepting food or clothing donations?

Currently, we are accepting food, coats, and winter clothing donations. The drop-off times are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10AM-2PM. Please call our office upon arrival (631-283-6415).

3. Do you need volunteers?

Yes! Please sign up on our website here. 

4. How does one register for the food pantry?

One can register ahead by calling our office (631-283-6415) to speak with our bilingual staff. New customers are welcome to visit during food pantry hours- Wednesdays and Fridays from 10AM-12PM. Upon arrival, they will be asked to fill out a registration form and provide valid identification. This form is used solely for reporting numbers to the food bank so we receive enough food to feed our customers.

Our mission is simple - to help people in our local community who are in need. For the past 42 years, we've been able to do so because of your incredible support. We thank you!

Happy Holidays from our families to yours!