Interfaith Nutrition Network

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The INN (Interfaith Nutrition Network)
Formation1983 (1983)
TypeNon-profit
Headquarters
Hempstead, New York
Region served
Long Island, New York
Membership
10 Soup Kitchens, 3 Emergency Shelters, 1 Long-Term Housing Program, 1 Resource Center & Clothing Boutique
Main organ
Board of Directors
Websitehttps://the-inn.org

The INN (Interfaith Nutrition Network) is a non-profit organization based in Long Island, New York.[1] The organization addresses hunger and homelessness on Long Island by providing food, shelter, long-term housing and supportive services. It is estimated that the INN feeds about 5,000 Long Islanders each week.[2]

History[]

The INN was founded as a soup kitchen in Hempstead, NY in 1983 by a group of volunteers headed by Patricia O'Connor and Michael Moran, then a chaplain at Hofstra University.[3] Thirty people responded to their call for volunteers to create a soup kitchen; the effort was a success and news about the soup kitchen spread through word of mouth.

In 1984, the organization expanded to offer solutions for homelessness. The group opened an emergency shelter. The INN subsequently developed into a comprehensive organization with a variety of programs to aid the hungry and homeless on Long Island.[1]

As of 2013, INN operations had grown to include14 soup kitchens, three emergency shelters, and one long-term housing program.[4] As the name suggests, the INN is composed of people from many ethnic and faith communities and does not discriminate towards the members of any religion, race or ethnicity.

One of the initial volunteers, Jean Kelly, now serves as Executive Director of the organization. The group hosts an annual dinner, called the INNkeepers' Ball, to honor INN volunteers, to raise awareness and to raise funds for the organization. Over $1 million was raised at the 2013 event.[5]

Services Offered[]

The INN offers five services:

  • Soup Kitchens: The INN currently operates 10 soup kitchens in 14 locations across Long Island. Soup kitchens are available for those who are in need of immediate food.
  • Emergency Housing: The INN operates three emergency housing shelters. Two of these shelters provide housing for homeless families and one for men who are temporarily experiencing homelessness. The INN works with the Nassau County Department of Social Services in order to find appropriate housing and achieve the goal of permanent housing for those in need.[6]
  • Long-Term Housing: By working with families who are experiencing homelessness, The INN is able to provide families with homes and resources in order to reach goals of self-sufficiency and independence.[7]
  • Center for Transformative Change: In 2016, The INN opened the Center for Transformative Change directly adjacent to the Mary Brennan INN soup kitchen in Hempstead. The goal of the CTC is to serve as a Resource Center to assist guests of the soup kitchen to improve their life circumstances and/or become self-sufficient. The facility also houses a Clothing Boutique, where guests can acquire free clothing, including business attire for interviews or a new job, and housewares.[7]
  • Supportive Services: Along with providing food and shelter to those in need, The INN also supplies Long Islanders with counseling and case management, tenancy and home management, and educational tutoring for children and parents as well as vocational training.[7]

Notable Partnerships[]

In 2010, Howitt Middle School in Farmingdale, NY held a dance marathon fundraiser and was able to raise $10,167 which they donated to The INN.[8] In 2011, Ice Girls from the New York Islanders hockey team supported a food drive in Mineola by volunteering their time to help collect food and greet passersby.[9]

In 2013, Walmart donated $75,000 to The INN in order to aid Long Islander's during the holiday season. During that season, Walmart donated a total of $1 million to food pantries and soup kitchens across New York State.[2]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b "About Us". The INN. the-inn.org. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b Figueroa, Laura (30 November 2013). "Walmart gives $75G to Hempstead's Interfaith Nutrition Network". Newsday. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 13 January 2014. (Preview only; subscription required to view full article)
  3. ^ Alfano, Peter (17 July 1983). “A Gift for the Needy: Lunch”. New York Times. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
  4. ^ Al-Mulim, Aisha (1 January 2013). "Interfaith Nutrition Network gets $20G Grant". Newsday. Archived from the original on 14 February 2014. Retrieved 13 January 2014. (Preview only; subscription required to view full article)
  5. ^ “INN Raises over $1 Million at INNkeepers’s Ball”. . 20 May 2013. Retrieved on 13 January 2014.
  6. ^ Damiano, Justin (4 January 2014). "Interfaith Nutrition Network sees rising need on Long Island". Long Island Report. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
  7. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Programs". The INN. the-inn.org. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  8. ^ "Getting ‘INNvolved’ in Year Two...". Archived 2014-02-22 at the Wayback Machine Howitt Dance Marathon. 2010. Retrieved on 13 January 2014.
  9. ^ Ryan, Ken (23 January 2011). "Islanders’ Ice Girls Help Out at Mineola Food Drive". . Retrieved 13 January 2014.
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