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Food Distributions
What is a Food Distribution?
Our Food Distributions take place outdoors (rain or shine, all year) for one hour on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday.
Lighthouse Mission box trucks go out stocked with emergency food, clothes & other necessities. At each location, staff and volunteers unload and set up items, have a brief volunteer orientation, & open in prayer. Then a short Bible message is shared.
Attendees are invited (but not required) to listen.
Attendees are then invited to receive food. As they pass through the line, we speak to the people in need, offering encouragement and prayer. At the end of the hour, the staff and volunteers pack up any leftovers in the truck, clean up our outdoor site, close in prayer, and return to the Mission's headquarters.
**Please Note: Lighthouse Mission is NOT a Soup Kitchen. We DO NOT serve cooked meals.
Food Distribution Locations
Anyone can attend Lighthouse Mission's daily Food Distributions. You do not need paperwork or to sign up in advance to receive food. The Food Distribution programs are held outdoors ALL YEAR LONG, rain or shine. Please dress appropriately for the weather. All addresses below are approximate because our programs occur in public parking lots. Look for our Truck when you arrive.
MIDDLE ISLAND
Mondays – 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Parking Lot of Holding Out Hope Church
660 Middle Country Road., Middle Island, NY 11953
Bible Message: 12:00–12:15; Food Distribution: 12:15–1:00
RONKONKOMA
Mondays – 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Parking Lot in front of the Regal Movie Theater along Portion Road
565 Portion Road., Lake Ronkonkoma, N.Y. 11779
Bible Message: 12:00–12:15; Food Distribution: 12:15–1:00
ROCKY POINT
Wednesdays – 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Knights of Columbus front Parking Lot located on the North Side of North Country Road.
683 NY-25A Rocky Point, NY 11778
Bible Message: 12:00–12:15; Food Distribution: 12:15–1:00
SHIRLEY
Thursdays – 12:00pm - 1:00pm
King Kullen Shopping Center on East Side of William Floyd Parkway, about 1 mile South of Montauk Highway
405 William Floyd Parkway Shirley, NY 11967
Bible Message: 12:00–12:15; Food Distribution: 12:15–1:00
PORT JEFFERSON STATION
Thursdays – 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Commuter Parking Lot at Corner of Hallock Rd. & Route 112, about a quarter mile South of the Railroad
499 Main Street Port Jefferson Station, NY 11777
Bible Message: 12:00–12:15; Food Distribution: 12:15–1:00
RIVERHEAD
Fridays – 12:00pm - 1:00pm
In the Train Station parking lot across from the Salvation Army store.
2933 Railroad Ave Riverhead, NY 11901
Bible Message: 12:00–12:15; Food Distribution: 12:15–1:00
CENTEREACH
Fridays – 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Parking lot near Job Lot, on the South Side of Middle Country Rd., 1.5 miles West of Nicolls Rd.
2150 Middle Country Road Centereach, NY 11720
Bible Message: 12:00–12:15; Food Distribution: 12:15–1:00
PATCHOGUE
Saturdays – 10:00am - 11:00am
Commuter Parking Lot in between Bravo Supermarket and Serene Home Nursing
Academy Street Patchogue, NY 11772
Bible Message: 10:00–10:15; Food Distribution: 10:15–11:00
BELLPORT
Saturdays – 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Outreach occurs at Robert Rowley Park.
500 Patchogue Avenue Bellport, NY 11713
Bible Message: 12:00–12:15; Food Distribution: 12:15–1:00
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lighthouse Mission a soup kitchen?
No. We are a Mobile Food Pantry that distributes unprepared food at locations across Suffolk County.
Who qualifies for help at your programs?
We help anyone who is in need regardless of who you are or where you come from. All are welcome.
Do I need to bring ID to receive food?
No. All who attend the programs can receive food. We simply ask that you sign our attendance book so we can track how many people need food each week.
How should I dress?
Our programs occur in outdoor locations. Please dress prepared for outdoor weather - hot or cold. We ask that all participants wear modest, non-revealing, and inoffensive clothing as well as solid footwear.
Will I be notified if a program is canceled?
In the event of severe weather such as snowstorms or hurricanes, Lighthouse Mission may cancel any of its programs. Please visit our website or our Facebook Page for notifications.
What should I do with my valuables?
Please do not bring valuables, including jewelry, cell phones, headphones, music players, or other expensive items with you to our programs. Lighthouse Mission is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
Will you notify people if a program is canceled?
In the event of severe weather we may cancel our programs. Please check our website or Facebook page for program updates.
Are your programs safe?
Yes. Our programs are run in an orderly fashion. Sometimes police officers attend as an extra safety measure. As these programs are sometimes unpredictable, please do not bring valuables with you.
What food donations do you accept?
We accept non-perishable food items (canned goods, pastas, cereal, bottled water, etc.), meats (hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken, turkeys, etc.), dairy products, and fresh fruits and vegetables. Please DO NOT bring any cooked food or leftovers, as we are not a soup kitchen.
Do you accept clothing donations?
Yes! We accept new and gently used clothes of any sort, size, and season. Please bring all clothing donations to our building. We are open weekdays 9:00am-4:00pm. we also have a donation box for after-hours donations located outside of our building.
Do you accept furniture, household items, or toys?
No. Unfortunately, our warehouse is not big enough to accommodate any donations other than food and new or gently used clothing.
Can you pick up a donation at my house?
No. we do not have enough staff to pick up donations from your home. Please bring all donations to Lighthouse Mission's building in North Bellport.
Can I volunteer at these programs?
Yes. We welcome volunteers and small groups to serve at these programs. Please contact our office in advance to schedule your service time.
Can I give money to the people we serve?
No. The purpose of our programs is to provide free food and share the Gospel of Jesus. We cannot meet all of the needs that people have. Giving money to some people in need can also create issues with other people.
Can I hand out religious literature at your programs?
No. Bible tracts, bibles, and any other religious or non-religious materials cannot be given out without prior approval from Lighthouse Mission's pastoral team. Lighthouse Mission has approved Bibles, tracts, and books on our outreach trucks to give out.
Can I offer services or products to people?
No. We do not allow the solicitation of private, government, or non-profit services or goods (free or otherwise) of any sort at our programs unless the group has been pre-registered with our staff.
Can I complete community service hours with you?
Yes. Please be prepared to complete your service during our normal business hours. Please contact our office in advance to schedule your community service.
How else can I support the Mission?
Lighthouse Mission needs financial partners to help meet our ministry expenses. All funding goes to support programs right here on Long Island. Click the "Donate" Button at the top of your page.