Library Donates Food, Supplies to Vets Organization

About 1,000 items of food, supplies and bedding were donated to the Suffolk County United Veterans by the Riverhead Free Library on Wednesday afternoon as part of their "Food for Fines" program.

Nearly a dozen veterans and U.S. Army recruits packed the boxes of donations into their vans to be taken to homeless veterans in need.

Government officials, including tax assessors Mason Haas and Paul Leszczynski and Councilman John Dunleavy also helped, as did representatives of the Riverhead Republican Committee, who donated $250 worth of bedding, sheets and comforters. One librarian knitted blankets for the veterans.

. Library Director Lisa Jacobs said that the community should continue to support those in need.

"It's especially important in this kind of economy, and in light of Veterans Day this week, that we recognize our veterans who served our county," Jacobs said, thanking those who donated.

"This is nine days' worth of donations," Jacobs said, pointing to the pile of items to her right on the sidewalk. "We can only imagine what 30 days will be."

The program was started by librarian Elisabeth Stokes and trustee Thelma Booker six years ago. Booker said she was happy to see the program was growing.

"When this is something good you just want to see it built up," Booker said.

Officials from the Suffolk County United Veterans praised the community for their generosity. The organization helps struggling veterans who need support for substance abuse, mental health issues, financial problems and homelessness.

Suffolk County United Veterans CEO John Lynch called homelessness "no more than a symptom of the problem," and thanked locals for donating to the cause.

"You feel like what you did wasn't wasted," said Will Young, a Bellport veteran of the U.S. Army from 1971 to 1973 and Program Director for the Suffolk County United Veterans. "It's good to know people are willing to give back to you based on what you gave for them."

Young used the program himself when he was homeless to go back to school and said the support helped him get back on his feet.

"We believe that no soldier should be left behind, and that's not only when he's out there [at war] but back here too," Young said.