INCORPORATING THE WEST HEMPSTEAD BEACON VOL. 75 No. 26
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June 26 - July 2, 2025
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Long Island Cares fights summer hunger in kids In Roosevelt, meals are available at Rozzie’s Day Camp, located at 375 Nassau Road; the Cloud Center at 163–165 Nassau When school lets out, many children Road; and the Roosevelt EOC at 281 Babylose access to the nutritious meals they lon Turnpike. All three Roosevelt locations operate Monday through Friday rely on during the academic year. In Freeport, Roosevelt, Hempstead, from June 30 through August 22. All three Roosevelt locations operate and Long Beach, Long Island Cares is bridging that critical gap through its Monday through Friday from June 30 Summer Food Service Program, ensuring through August 22. that at-risk children continue to receive This year, Long Island Cares expects to healthy meals throughout the summer serve approximately 135 children in Freemonths. port alone, with a total of around 1,600 Kerry Tooker, manager of child nutri- children across all their summer protion programs at Long Island Cares, has grams. been at the forefront of this vital initiaThese aren’t just any meals. Following tive since 2013. USDA “my plate” guidelines, “When school ends, kids each meal is carefully who are typically receiving designed to provide complete nutritious meals during the nutrition. school day, breakfast and Breakfast includes three lunch at school, no longer components, while lunch have that available to them,” offers five. Florian’s Food SerTooker explains. vice caters the lunch meals, The program operates at delivering fresh food daily to multiple sites in Freeport, program sites. KERRY TOOKER including Ready, Set, Grow at The program specifically 63 Babylon Turnpike and Boss Manager of child targets low-income areas Babies on 393 W Sunrise High- nutrition where schools participate in way. the Community Eligibility These two programs will run from Program, indicating that over 50% of stuJuly 7 to August 22 and are Monday dents qualify for free or reduced-price through Friday. meals. In Hempstead, families can access free “To reach them is a very important meals at a range of community-focused mission for us, because we want to reach locations. These include Barack Obama the kids that are most at risk,” Tooker Elementary School at 176 William Street, emphasizes. operating Monday through Friday from Coordinating such an extensive proJuly 7 to August 15; David Paterson Ele- gram is no small feat. It requires collabomentary School at 40 Fulton Avenue, open ration with the USDA and New York State weekdays from June 30 to August 15; and Department of Education, rigorous staff the South Hempstead Baptist Church at training, and careful site selection. 81 Maple Avenue, also serving Monday Tooker and her team ensure each locathrough Friday from July 7 to August 12. tion can safely store and serve meals, Additional sites include the Hempstead with volunteers playing a crucial role in Hispanic Civic Association at 236 Main food preparation and delivery. Street, offering meals Monday through The biggest challenge? Manpower. Thursday from July 7 to August 8, and the With only three employees, one intern, Hispanic Counseling Center’s Teen Cen- and 10-15 volunteers, the team works tireter at 344 Fulton Avenue, open Mondays, lessly to monitor and execute the proWednesdays, and Fridays through August gram. This year, an intern from Empire 22.
By MOHAMMAD RAFIQ
mrafiq@liherald.com
W
Courtesy Reine Bethany
Surrounded by family, friends, and members of the new greater Hempstead Chamber of Commerce, Kemi ajisafe, center, snipped the blue ribbon to inaugurate the grand opening of her event venue, trinity Opulence, on Fulton avenue in Hempstead.
Trinity Opulence grand opening marks yet another Chamber success Elegant event venue is the 10th grand opening this year in village By REINE BETHANY Special to the Herald
Trinity Opulence at 273 Fulton Ave. in Hempstead village celebrated its grand opening last Friday, cheered on by an enthusiastic crowd of elected officials, friends, family, and the New Greater Hempstead Chamber of Commerce. “Once again, it’s a great day in the Village of Hempstead, as we celebrate the opening of another business,” said Chamber president LaShawn Lukes. “We at the Chamber pride ourselves, not just on supporting the businesses until they open, but with ongoing resources
and marketing. A successful business helps lead to a successful community.” Lukes was surrounded by the board members of the Chamber, as well as attending Chamber members. She noted that this occasion marked the third grand opening of a Chamber member business in June alone: the other two were Sweet Tea House at 119 Main St. and NADAP Employment Services at 50 Clinton St. In addition, Eternal Deli and Catering at 115 Main St. celebrated its eighth anniversary this month. Village and county officials have been COntinued On Page 4
e want to reach the kids that are most at risk.
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