Earlier this month, I had the privilege of touring the Mary Brennan Interfaith Nutrition Network (INN) in Hempstead with my staff. At a time when their work of serving Nassau County’s homeless and hungry populations grows more challenging by the day, it is essential for all who are in a position to do so to support them and organizations like theirs this holiday season – and all throughout the year.
Starting in 1983 as a small soup kitchen in Hempstead, the INN soon after began providing emergency shelter for the homeless, and worked diligently to build an interfaith network of organizations equipped to reach families in need wherever they may be.
The beating heart of this network remains the Mary Brennan INN in Hempstead, where in 2022 they served over 211,000 meals to nearly 4,500 Long Islanders and coordinated vital wraparound services, including referrals for medical and mental health care, housing, and assistance with securing government documents and applying for Social Security, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) assistance and heat benefits.
All of these noble efforts are guided by one core principle – that every person who visits the INN will be treated with the dignity and respect they deserve as children of God. Their mission resonates deeply with the lessons of my own Catholic faith and Paul’s words to the Ephesian elders in Acts 20:35 -
“In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
Feeding the hungry and housing the homeless has always been a challenging, selfless endeavor. But, as 2025 draws to a close, the headwinds are stronger than ever because of rapidly weakening federal support. Through the passage of its destructive megabill this summer, the Trump administration gutted $300 billion in SNAP funding and slashed nearly $900 billion from Medicaid over the next 10 years.
During the recent government shutdown, the Trump administration demonstrated remarkable callousness in its willingness to use emergency nutrition funding as a bargaining chip. Moreover, working- and middle-class families are still faced with the threat of soaring healthcare premiums because of the administration’s refusal thus far to extend Affordable Care Act premium subsidies for 22 million American families.
All of this serves as a stark reminder that we are in unprecedented times, and that all of us who can must do our part to provide support and stability to our neighbors. There are some bright spots to report – but there is still more work to be done.
When federal SNAP funding lapsed on Nov. 1, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul admirably stepped in and declared a state of emergency, providing a crucial bridge of support for families in need across the Empire State.
Nassau’s Democratic legislative caucus has also worked proactively to deliver resources. Last year, we successfully fought to have $15 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds set aside for eligible not-for-profit organizations across the County. This facilitated the delivery of hundreds of thousands of dollars in resources to local food pantries, including $50,000 for The INN that was secured by my colleagues, Legislator Scott Davis and former Legislator and now Senator Siela Bynoe.
Within District 6, I was thrilled to deliver $50,000 in ARPA funding for the food pantry at the Roman Catholic Church of St. Christopher in Baldwin; over $22,000 for Ladles of Hope, a 501(c)(3) organization based out of Our Holy Redeemer Roman Catholic Church in Freeport; and $10,000 for The NEST at Nassau Community College, a 501 (c)3 not-for-profit organization that operates a free-choice food pantry for students, employees, and families.
But on the grassroots level, there is no force more powerful than the generosity of Nassau County residents. Whether you are supporting the regional efforts of Long Island Cares or Island Harvest, major organized events such as the biannual Nassau County Veterans Stand Down at the Freeport Armory, or the food ministry at your local church, every contribution will deliver crucial support for a deserving family as they work to rebuild their lives.
To amplify these efforts, my office is hosting a food drive for The NEST through Friday, Dec. 12. If you would like to make your own contribution to support their efforts, please visit either the Freeport Memorial Library (144 W. Merrick Road, Freeport, N.Y. 11520), Baldwin Public Library (2385 Grand Avenue, Baldwin, N.Y. 11510) or the Oceanside Public Library (30 Davison Ave., Oceanside, N.Y. 11572) during normal business hours to contribute.
As we take stock of our blessings this holiday season and prepare to enter a new year, it is my hope that each of us will carry this message of charity with us in our hearts – and, because hunger knows no season, make giving back a yearlong routine.
Debra Mulé, of Freeport, is the Alternate Deputy Minority Leader of the Nassau County Legislature. She was elected to the Legislature in 2017 and currently represents the 6th Legislative District.