New York State Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. (I, D, WF-Sag Harbor) today announced his partnership with Long Island Cares and New York State in holding a food drive for Puerto Rico, following the devastating effects of Hurricane Maria that left millions of people without power, limited running water and finite access to fuel. Governor Cuomo launched the Empire State Relief and Recovery Effort for Puerto Rico, working to provide needed services, goods and funds to help Puerto Ricans recover and rebuild.

You can help by collecting and dropping off non-perishable food items or supplies and placing them in the food drive box at the Assemblyman’s Office located at 2302 Main Street, Suite A in Bridgehampton. Supplies needed include cleaning materials, such as garbage bags and latex gloves, as well as personal care products, such as shampoo/soap, feminine hygiene products, toothbrushes/toothpaste and toilet paper. Other miscellaneous items include flashlights, batteries and mosquito repellent.

The Assemblyman is also hosting an online drive through YouGiveGoods at https://yougivegoods.com/thiele. Click on the “Shop Now” button to purchase the most needed items to date.

All collected goods are delivered to Long Island Cares where volunteers organize, pack and send everything to the Central Donation Center at the NYS Office Building in Hauppauge. The State ships the donations to Puerto Rico.

Long Island Cares is one of the region’s most comprehensive hunger assistance organizations, serving thousands of individuals and families in need. Founded as the first food bank on Long Island, New York, in 1980 by the late singer, Grammy Award-winning songwriter and social activist Harry Chapin, the organization now provides nutritional food and support services for a network of more than 580 community-based member agencies, including food pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, child care programs, disability organizations, veterans’ services programs and more.

Please join Assemblyman Thiele in helping Puerto Ricans who are struggling to recover in the wake of Hurricane Maria.