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Vol. 90 No. 41
oCToBER 9 - 15, 2025
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Pirate Fest’s voyage sets sails with fun debut By MoHAMMAD RAFIQ mrafiq@liherald.com
Skye Margies/Herald
Children and families boarded a pirate-themed boat for a ride through Freeport’s waterways during the inaugural Pirate Fest.
Even though no landlubbers were forced to swab a deck or walk a plank, the Nautical Mile in Freeport was energized on Sunday, at the first-ever Pirate Fest. Organizers of the inaugural event described it as a major triumph for Freeport’s waterfront commercial row, and expressed hope that Pirate Fest would become an annual tradition, helping to keep the Nautical Mile bustling with visitors year-round and inspiring future off-season festivals and events. The festival was organized by a coalition of local vendors, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Nautical Mile Business Organization, bringing families and visitors together for an afternoon of pirate-themed fun, entertainment and community spirit. The festivities began at noon with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in front of the chamber office, followed by a boat parade featuring private and commercial vessels Continued on Page 10
Long Island Cares pantries adjust operating hours By ANGElINA ZINGARIEllo azingariello@liherald.com
Grocery prices in the United States have reached their highest level in three years, with the U.S. Department of Agriculture reporting increases of roughly 2 to 3 percent over the past year. Rising costs for essentials such as meat, produce and dairy are putting pressure on household budgets, and on Long Island, the effects are being felt deeply in Freeport and beyond. Reyna Felix, program center coordinator at Long Island Cares’ Nassau Center for Collaborative Assistance in Freeport, says the rising cost of
food and the federal government shutdown have put significant pressure on their pantry. The Freeport location has adjusted its operations, closing on Thursdays to allow staff to restock. Donations are consumed quickly, with food often moving from delivery to distribution in a single day. Many clients now visit the pantry first before shopping at supermarkets, in order to stretch their budgets to cover bills and household expenses. “It’s a lot of movement, with the food coming in the same time it goes,” Felix said. “I have a lot of people who donate from their pockets. They decide to go
to the supermarket, they get what they can get for themselves and the rest they donate to us. It’s something very helpful, but at the same time it goes out quickly, so we’re doing our mission and vision, but it’s been a challenge, because we’re not always fully stocked, and we cannot serve families with the same quality.” The demographics of pantry clients, Felix said, have shifted slightly. While some Spanishs p e a k i n g f a m i l i e s h ave returned less frequently due to immigration-related issues, working families and seniors who are still employed but str ug gling financially are
increasingly relying on pantry services. Coordinators say maintaining adequate stock and providing consistent quality food is a daily challenge, especially as the quantity of donations from the community has declined, even though the number of donors remains steady. At the Valley Stream Long
Island Cares facility, Nicole Rojas, Community Center program coordinator, says the rise in grocery prices has created new challenges for the pantry’s mission to feed the community. While the pantry continues to receive steady donations, some regular contributors have not been able to give as much, Continued on Page 5