Assemblyman Ed Ra (21st Assembly District) recently announced his partnership with Island Harvest for his first annual food drive. Running now through the end of the year, Ra is honored to partner with Long Island’s largest hunger relief organization and help those in the community who need it. During these challenging economic times, Ra sees this food drive as a way to help ensure all in the community have a happy and healthy holiday season. “I’m proud to partner with Island Harvest as I kick-off my first annual food drive,” said Ra. “This is a great way to help out those neighbors in the community who are struggling. My goal is to bring greater awareness to the issue and to bring the community together to be a part of the solution. As we enter the holiday season’s winter months, I’m asking every community member to pitch in and help those less fortunate.” “Island Harvest is thankful for the generosity and thoughtfulness of Assemblyman Ra and his staff in helping us fight hunger,” said Randi Shubin Dresner, president and CEO of Island Harvest. “It is through great partnerships with leaders like Assemblyman Ra that we are able to help those who face hunger in our communities.” Island Harvest supplies eight million pounds of food to a network of more than 570 food pantries, soup kitchens, and other assistance programs. Eight million pounds of food has a market value of $15 million. This substantial infusion of support to local communities helps assure that all who need assistance can get it. Ra will be collecting specific grocery items including canned beans, milk, fruits, vegetables, juices, meats, fish, soups, stews, peanut butter, coffee, personal care items, nutritional beverages, and personal hygiene products to distribute to needy families across Long Island. Items for the food drive can be dropped off at Ra’s district office, 925 Hempstead Turnpike, Room 350, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the months of November and December. For more information on the first annual food drive, or any other state issue, please contact Ra’s district office at 437-5577 or email rae@assembly.state.ny.us. Other collection sites for Assemblyman Ra’s food drive:

• Elmont Public Library
  700 Hempstead Turnpike
  Elmont, NY 11003
  (516) 354-5280
• West Hempstead Fire Department
  295 Hempstead Turnpike
  West Hempstead, NY 11552
  (516) 486-8846
• Stewart Manor Village Hall
  120 Covert Avenue
  Stewart Manor, NY 11530
  (516) 354-1800
• Malverne Public Library
  61 Saint Thomas Place
  Malverne, NY 11565
  (516) 599-0750