Girl Scout troop, firefighters team up for Farmingdale food drive
Donations collected in Farmingdale will support Island Harvest and a Massapequa food pantry.
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A local Girl Scout troop joined forces with firefighters and community members in Farmingdale Saturday to collect donations for families facing food insecurity.
Members of Girl Scout Junior Troop 3112 partnered with the South Farmingdale Fire Department to gather canned goods, nonperishable food items, monetary donations and other essential supplies outside Stop & Shop.
The collection effort is part of the troop's Bronze Award project, which focuses on giving back to the community by addressing food insecurity.
"We love helping everybody else. That's what Girl Scouts do. Help the community and the world be a better place," said Ryan Farrelly of Girl Scout Junior Troop 3112.
South Farmingdale Fire Department Commissioner Jeff Tasch said the department was eager to support the effort.
"I feel like we are lucky because we have each other and our families are in good shape," Tasch said. "We know there are a lot of families out there that don't have the means to put food on the table for their loved ones."
The partnership between the Girl Scouts and the fire department continues with a community effort that has helped local families in the past. Last Thanksgiving, the organizations worked together to collect donations that firefighters later used to prepare and deliver home-cooked meals to Long Islanders in need.
"It's a good thing for people who don't have a lot of money," said Farmingdale resident MaryEllen Bellando.
While food donations were the primary focus of the drive, organizers encouraged residents to contribute other necessities as well.
"I donated sanitary napkins because women and girls, I think, are forgotten about," said Farmingdale resident Lori Karman.
According to the South Farmingdale Fire Department, they gave the collected donations to Powered by Christ Church in Massapequa.
For the scouts involved, the project is about making a positive difference for others.
"We can make people's days happier," said Girl Scout Junior Troop 3112 member Isabella Verdi.
