Long Island Coalition for the Homeless

08/05/2026

This is what community looks like.

100+ volunteers spent their Saturday sorting, packing, and preparing more than 800 backpacks for children experiencing homelessness across Long Island.

That's more than 800 children who will walk into their first day of school feeling confident and prepared. More than 800 families who can focus on enjoying the last days of summer without the added stress of purchasing school supplies.

Saturday was about so much more than backpacks. It was about showing our neighbors that they are seen, supported, and never alone.

To every volunteer, donor, staff member, and supporter who made this day possible, thank you. Your kindness is helping create brighter beginnings for hundreds of children across our community.

A heartfelt thank you to the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office, Hope House Ministries, Port Jefferson, New York , County Executive Ed Romaine , Amityville Rotary , the Girl Scouts, the Martella Family, the Cohen Family, and the Lo Nigro Family. Your generosity, partnership, and unwavering support helped make this incredible day possible. We are so grateful to have you standing with us as we help children start the school year with confidence.

08/05/2026

A heartfelt thank you to Kiwanis Five Towns for standing with us! Community partners like you help make our work possible. We are so appreciative of everyone at Kiwanis Five Towns, especially Yolanda L. Robano-Gross, for your generosity and support!

Kiwanis Five Towns is always proud to support our community partners. Today, President Yolanda L. Robano-Gross stopped by the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless, 600 Albany Avenue, Amityville office to drop off a donation for their annual Backpack Pirates event. This year the coalition plans to donate over 1500 filled backpacks to children in need. Seen here with Yolanda are Executive Director, Greta Guarton and Development Director, Rosemary Ortlieb. Keep up the great work!

07/31/2026

Ahoy! ☠⚓For almost 20 years, Backpack Pirates has been a summer staple for LICH (with a short break for Covid). Every year, hundreds of kids get this day because our community shows up for them. Help us make it happen, learn how here: https://linktr.ee/lihomeless.

07/28/2026

What does homelessness look like? There's no single face to it. Kids, teens, adults, seniors, all across Long Island. For kids, it's more than not having a stable place to sleep. It's trying to navigate school, keep up friendships, and just be a kid while facing uncertainty no child should have to face.

That's why we're asking you to help us Stock the Ship this summer: school supplies, hygiene products, pantry staples, the basics that help families thrive.

Get involved here: https://linktr.ee/lihomeless/

07/24/2026

Timothy Stark was a person before he was a headline, and he deserves to stay one.

This isn't about any program or pitch. A man who was part of this community is gone. He was known and looked out for by people near him, and it still wasn't enough to keep him safe. No one org or team can do this alone. That takes neighbors, outreach workers, everyone willing to see the person in front of them. Rest easy, Timothy.

If you see someone, save someone. 631-464-4314 ext. 118.

07/09/2026

These items are treasure. A box of cereal is the difference between a hungry morning and a full one. A jar of peanut butter lands in a new apartment with someone who just got their keys. Cleaning supplies make a shelter feel a little more like home. A roll of paper towels helps a family stretch a tight budget just a little further.

This summer we're stocking the ship and we need our crew! Pick a pile, find your treasure, and help us make sure our neighbors have what they need for their journey. Drop off donations at 600 Albany Ave, Amityville or give here: https://givebutter.com/LMi6lg. 🏴‍☠️

07/08/2026

No crew sets sail without supplies! This summer, we’re asking our community to help stock the ship because every neighbor deserves a successful voyage. Our cargo hold needs restocking and we need your help to do it! Drop off donations at 600 Albany Ave, Amityville or hit the link in the bio to find more ways to donate here: linktr.ee/lihomeless.

07/07/2026

Long Island Coalition for the Homeless is once again collecting donations for the annual Scott Martella Supply Our Students Drive. Donations will be distributed to campers at Backpack Pirates, a one day summer camp for children living in shelters right here on Long Island.

Donations can be purchased via Amazon wish list at https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2JEIJS0U4HY33?ref_=wl_share, or dropped off at 600 Albany Ave, Amityville, Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm.
For more information, visit www.addressthehomeless.org.

07/04/2026

Happy 250th, America. Here's to a country built to keep evolving, and to all of us building it together.

07/01/2026

The Scott Martella Supply Our Students Drive is back, stocking the ship all summer long.⚓🏴‍☠️

These supplies go to our campers at Backpack Pirates, and soon they'll help keep something else stocked year round too (you'll find out soon) 🤫

Donations open now through end of summer. Donations can be made via Amazon wishlist here:https://bit.ly/4xK6VRQ.

Or drop them off at 600 Albany Ave, Amityville, Monday-Friday 9-5!