Reminders of the Great Depression in Mastic

In a scene reminiscent of the Great Depression, hundreds of residents, mostly mothers with young children, lined up at a distribution center in Mastic to get food, diapers, and other basic necessities as inflation and the cost of living make it nearly impossible for them to survive on Long Island. The dreadful lines are a common occurrence in many communities across Suffolk as dedicated volunteers and nonprofits struggle to keep up with the need.

“Thank God for Debbie and all of the good people who find it in their hearts to help us,” said one of the mothers as she waited in line at the Angels of Long Island center. “My husband works hard, two jobs, but we just can’t afford it. The price of everything has gone up; it’s just crazy.”

Debbie Loesch is the driving force behind two locations in Suffolk that serve as community thrift stores, donation centers, and outreach hubs. She’s partnered with Ryan Carroll of the non-profit Carroll’s Kitchen to provide hot food to the residents in need. “We are totally blessed to be able to do this for the community,” said Loesch, whose other location is in Patchogue. “The economic climate has been horrendous; people can’t afford the basic needs,” said the community volunteer, who noted that between 300-400 people turn out at her Mastic center a few times a week.

As the bread line wrapped around the block, President Joe Biden was 65 miles away at the headquarters of the United Nations promising additional U.S. taxpayer dollars to Ukraine leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy for weapons in the war against Russia, as well as pension funding and money to keep his government afloat. “I believe Biden has sent, what, $140 billion to Ukraine so far,” said one elderly man waiting for a hot meal. “There are people in America, veterans, homeless, broken families, who are in great need, and the money, billions upon billions, goes to another country. It’s a damned shame.”

Residents line up at a distribution center in a scene reminiscent of the Great Depression. Robert Chartuk

Not too far away was a disabled man calling himself “Lobo” who was panhandling for food money at a stop light. “I’m on the street; can’t work because of my back,” the former carpenter said. “I have no place to go, I have no car, no one to help me, so I just sit here, trying to get some money,” he said, stressing the fact that he’s homeless. “The DOT is my landlord,” he noted, pointing to a patch of woods near Route 495 where he lives. “Forget about the Ukrainians, there are plenty of people around here who need help.”

“How much are we going to spend on everyone else around the world before we even take a look at the people of our own country?” asked Senator Dean Murray. “Look at how hard everybody's working just to pay their bills and keep up. But then to know that the taxes they’re paying are going somewhere else, and we're told that we don't have enough to cover food for hungry children in New York State, we can't feed all of them, but we can spend it on everyone else. It's a disgrace. It really is.”

“I’m so proud of her for what she does,” said Debbie Loesch’s mom, Marie, who was volunteering at the Mastic thrift store. “They’re changing people’s lives, they really are,” she stated, noting that the Angels of Long Island also provide assistance in domestic violence cases, house fires, people getting out of jail, and other situations. “Our hats are off to Debbie and the many other groups and volunteers working every day to help our community,” said Legislator James Mazzarella. “They provide nutritional assistance, plus education on what it takes to maintain a healthy diet, and many other services.”

The Angels are part of a network of local organizations that provide a helping hand to local people in need. The Knights of Columbus James V. Kavanaugh Council in Mastic is an active donor to the St. Jude’s Parish Outreach Center, while the Community Food Pantry in Mastic Beach is also a go-to group for those who have a hard time putting food on the table. “Obviously, as the cost of food goes up because of inflation, you’re going to have more people in need,” said Lynda Zach of the Emergency Food Center Foundation. “Their rate of pay isn’t increasing at the rate food prices are going up. It’s definitely becoming more of a problem.”

“Thankfully, our area is blessed by a legion of volunteers and donors who try to keep up with the need,” said Assemblyman Joseph DeStefano, who partnered with the Allied Foundation to collect diapers and other necessities for the mothers who are struggling. “Long Island officials constantly fight to get the resources our area deserves, but it's an uphill battle given the policies coming out of the leadership in Albany and Washington. Sometimes, you just scratch your head and wonder if they even care.”