Naming and Tribute opportunities are available for any of the above-listed programs, and we have Planned Giving opportunities that will sustain these programs in perpetuity. Please call Sara C. Weiss, Director of Development, at 516-565-0290, ext. 207, for more information, to arrange a donation and/or Planned Gift to the Long Island Council of Churches.

LONG ISLAND COUNCIL OF CHURCHES STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTABILITY TO DONORS: The Long Island Council of Churches is a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit organization (Tax I.D. 11-1635087) governed by a Board of Governors comprised of local clergy and lay denominational leaders. Our Board of Governors and Finance Committee advise the Executive Director and Director of Finance and provide financial oversight. An annual Audited Financial Statement is prepared by an independent outside auditor in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. If you would like a copy of our most recent Audited Financial Statement, please call Sara Weiss, Director of Development, at 516-565-0290, ext. 207 or e-mail your request to saraweiss@optonline.net and she will be happy to send you a copy.

SPRING APPEAL: Dear Friends,
Ginny is about to become a widow. Permanently disabled and no longer able to work, she is raising two teenage children and a grandchild. The family was "holding its own" until Ginny's husband was diagnosed with cancer and became too sick to work. Currently in a hospice, he is living out the last few months of his life while Ginny and the kids travel back and forth to visit him. We can't prevent the sorrow she and her family will suffer when her husband passes away, we can make sure she and her kids don't starve.

The family's only income is Ginny's disability insurance. It is not sufficient to cover the cost of food for her family in addition to other basic expenses. She comes to us each month for food so she can feed her family. Hers is one of the thousands of hungry families we feed each year.

This year Feeding America (formerly America's Second Harvest) published its second study, Hunger in America 2010. Long Island Cares and Island Harvest commissioned a local report as part of the nationwide survey. The survey revealed that since 2006, the number of Long Islanders who depend on food pantries and soup kitchens has risen from 239,000 to at least 283,700, with an increase of 47.5% in the number of weekly clients served since the last survey was conducted four years earlier, and donations have dropped dramatically because of the ongoing economic crisis.

According to the study, one in 10 Long Islanders is hungry. Even more distressing is that 10% of our neighbors have always been hungry. Although Long Island remains one of the wealthiest suburbs of the country, the number of hungry individuals and families the Long Island Council of Churches is feeding has been rising for years. Here are the numbers we've served during the four-year period between the first and second Hunger in America surveys: In 2006 we fed 16,414 and in 2007 we fed 17,531. As the economic crisis created many new casualties and made life even worse for our neighbors who were already poor, we fed 20,726 in 2008 and last year we fed 23,819.

We need your contributions to keep up with the ever-rising demand. Please give as generously as you can so your hungry neighbors will have food for their families.

Please send your contribution today to the LICC at 1644 Denton Green, Hempstead, NY 11550. If you wish to charge your gift to Visa or MasterCard, please call our office at 516-565-0290. Thank you for helping us continue serving Long Islanders in need.

May God bless you and give you peace,

Rev. Tom Goodhue Executive Director

Rev. Erik Rasmussen LICC Board Chair

1644 Denton Green, Hempstead, NY 11550
407 Osborne Avenue, Riverhead, NY 11901