Long Island’s largest soup kitchen now helping hungry pets too
Long Island’s largest soup kitchen is now offering canned pet food and plans to eventually provide meals for cats and dogs alongside its regular hot meal service, officials announced Monday.
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman unveiled the initiative at a press conference, highlighting a partnership between Hempstead’s Mary Brennan INN and the local Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Since November, 100 families have already picked up non-perishable pet food and supplies through the program.
“We’ve done a lot to address food insecurity, and many people who have pets are also struggling to feed them,” Blakeman said. “This time of year is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year.” County Comptroller Elaine Phillips added, “Food insecurity is real, and our pets are feeling it too.”
Offering pet food at a soup kitchen is a first in Nassau County, and officials noted that there are no similar programs in neighboring Suffolk County. The goal is to expand the program beyond the holiday season.
“We were thrilled to be contacted by the Nassau County SPCA with the opportunity to provide free pet food to the guests we already serve who are experiencing food insecurity,” said Dana Lopez, a spokesperson for the Mary Brennan INN.
Food insecurity affects nearly 78,000 people in Nassau County, according to Feeding America, while Suffolk County has about 97,600 residents facing similar challenges—more than 175,000 people combined. Last month, Blakeman declared a state of emergency to combat food insecurity during the federal government shutdown, providing $50,000 per week to Island Harvest and Long Island Cares, the county’s largest hunger relief organizations, until federal assistance was fully restored.
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