RISE Life Services Hosts 2nd Annual Foodstock Music Festival and Food Drive
As inflation drives food prices higher and strapped farmers are less able to donate produce, RISE Life Services’ food pantries are seeing a 300% increase in traffic since the Covid-19 pandemic began.
In an effort to keep up with the need, RISE hosted the second annual Foodstock Music Festival and Food Drive on Sept. 17 at the Bayside Clam Bar & Grill in East Islip.
Performing live were Long Island country entertainers The Rustlers, County Line, and The Joe Bayer Band.
RISE, whose clients include those with special needs and veterans, works to decrease food insecurity on the East End.
“While we appreciate food donations, we are asking for monetary donations at this event,” says Jo-Ann Vitale, operations director of day programs and community services. “We have people with special dietary needs, those who may not have access to some of the basics to put a meal together.
“For example, mac-and-cheese seems like a great donation but if a homeless veteran doesn’t have a stove, a pot or access to running water, it isn’t really a meal he can prepare.”
Since the start of the pandemic, the weekly traffic has increased from 50 families per week to more than 150 in the same span. She added that $50 can feed a family of four for a week.
For more information on how to donate, visit riselifeservices.org.
