Letters

Reading The Southampton Press this time of year, I am always struck by the generous fundraising events taking place in communities east of the Shinnecock Canal for worthy charitable causes.

One real need that falls below many people’s radar screens is providing some semblance of a safety net for day workers who make the long and arduous commute to work. Many of them and their families live west of the canal and, during the winter months when work is hard to find, or when the families are hit by an injury or illness, their wages earned over the summer working out east are not sufficient to carry them.

In these instances, the burden of providing emergency assistance falls on the community organizations where they are living at the time. In the Hampton Bays/East Quogue area, much of this help comes through one of three organizations: 1) The food pantry at St. Rosalie’s Church; 2) Centro Corazon de Maria, an organization founded by religious sisters several years ago; and 3) the local Saint Vincent de Paul organization led by laypeople. All three organizations provide assistance to the entire community, regardless of the religious background of the neighbor in need.

Your consideration of these organizations as you are contemplating charitable giving would go a long way in helping these organizations to meet the need.

Donation checks can be made out to the respective organization and mailed to 31 East Montauk Highway, Hampton Bays, NY 11946, where food donations for the food pantry can be dropped off, as well.

Ron Schaefer

Hampton Bays