In the past year, the EASC has:

• Supported the Council's Riverhead office. The office fed a total of 8,762 individuals 78,858 meals. They comprised:
  • 3704 households
  • 3528 children
  • 4151 adults
  • 1083 seniors

  In 2008 the Riverhead office saw 22% increase in the number of people served over the previous year, and the Eastern Area Steering Committee has put out an alert to member and friend congregations asking them to provide higher levels of support.

  The Riverhead facility also hosted a very successful Migrant Thanksgiving Dinner that served full-course Thanksgiving meals to 575 individuals and families, prepared and served by many volunteers. Additionally Riverhead distributed 92 thanksgiving baskets to 322 people, Christmas toys to 368 children in 146 families, housing assistance to 67 households, prescription assistance to 28 clients, transportation for 742 clients, coats to 450, clothes and household items to another 2,000.

  In all, in 2008 the Riverhead office served 14,095 persons, averaging 1,175 per month. This is possible because of the expertise and dedication of its staff who have our respect and support.
  
  

• Hosted the Annual Convocation, entitled "Rising Up Out of Poverty," held at First Baptist, Riverhead, on Saturday, September 27. The keynote speaker was Karen Olsen, founder of Family Promise. Because attendance was disappointing, the EASC has been deliberating on how to better meet the needs of human service workers. In 2009 we are planning a retreat focusing more on renewal than education.
  
  
• We continue to monitor needs of the community to determine if the LICC's resources might be directed toward advocacy, or education, resource development, or networking, so that the people of God might better serve and be served.