Montauk - Suffolk County Legislator Jay Schneiderman (I-Montauk) urges community members to join the campaign, "Take a Bite out of Hunger Campaign" sponsored by Island Harvest and Panera Bread. The campaign runs from September 20 to September 25 at 19 Panera Bread locations in Nassau and Suffolk during the morning hours. Volunteers are needed to represent Island Harvest and assist with collecting nonperishable food for hungry Long Islanders.

Island Harvest is one of Long Island's largest hunger relief organizations that serve as the bridge between those who have surplus food and those who need it. Their volunteers and staff collect, good surplus food from over 600 local restaurants, caterers, farms, and other food related businesses; and distribute it to a network of close to 500 soup kitchens, food pantries, residencies, shelters and other places where those in need can access it. Last year Island Harvest provided nearly seven million pounds of food to local hunger relief organizations. Over one million Long Islanders are at rick of hunger.

There are several open slots at many of the Suffolk County Panera locations within the Second Legislative District. The locations are as follows:

 • Bridgehampton Panera located at 2044 Montauk Highway from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.

 • Hampton Bays Panera located at 2044 Montauk Highway from 6:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

You can sign up to cover one morning shift or several for more information and to register online go to www.islandharvest.volunteerhub.com.