Long Island Cares, Inc. – The Harry Chapin Food Bank has reached back into the musical roots that were at the heart of the establishment of Long Island’s regional food bank to develop a new response to hunger on Long Island.
Music 2 Meals was designed as a creative response to the issue of hunger by members of the Long Island Cares’ Music Industry Council, a sub-committee of the food bank’s Board of Directors whose members represent various aspects of the Long Island music industry and work to engage others in the efforts of the food bank. The focus of this new program is to engage local organizations, schools, music venues and other areas where music is a part of programming to incorporate a food drive or other type of special event to support Long Island Cares, Inc. – The Harry Chapin Food Bank. As contained in the marketing material for the program, “schools, community groups, bands, and music related businesses can help turn “Music 2 Meals” by hosting a musical event or program to raise food and monetary donations for the food bank.”
Music has been a part of Long Island Cares, Inc.’s history since the late singer, Grammy Award winning songwriter and social activitst, Harry Chapin founded the organization in 1980.
“Many members of Long Island’s music industry including Billy Joel, Pat Benatar, Taking Back Sunday, Dee Snider, Jen Chapin and Brand New have lent their support to our Annual Awards Luncheon, Endowment Campaign and “Beat an End to Hunger” initiative,” said Paule Pachter, Executive Director. “Major concert venues such as the NYCB Theatre at Westbury, the Paramount in Huntington, The Tilles Center, the Brookhaven Amphitheatre at Bald Hill and music festivals like the Great South Bay Music Festival, Mega Jam and Vets Rock have helped to raise awareness of the issue of hunger on Long Island. Several popular radio stations including Party 105, La Fiesta, My Country, WRCN and WALK Radio have all used their airwaves to support Long Island Cares. Finally, many young students participate each year in an annual “Practice-A-Thon,” a unique program organized by local school districts in which students secure pledges for each hour they practice their instruments, donating all of the proceeds to Long Island Cares.”
