Oyster Bay Town Councilman Steve Labriola and members of the Town Board today announced a partnership with Town resident Carmela Shimansky to host Baby Formula Collection Drives at local parks. Residents are invited to donate unexpired, unused formula for families who are experiencing difficulty in finding formula as the nationwide storage continues. The first Baby Formula Collection Drive will take place on Sunday, May 22nd at Marjorie Post Park from 11am to 2pm.
“The nationwide baby formula shortage is causing a crisis for many families throughout Long Island,” said Councilman Steve Labriola. “We all know that once little ones move onto food, families are often left with extra formula in their pantries. We ask that you open your hearts and cupboards by donating unexpired, unused formula for families facing shortages and empty store shelves.”
At the start of the pandemic, Massapequa resident Carmela Shimansky launched a Facebook page ‘One Parent to Another,’ to help mothers in need of baby formula and other childcare necessities. Working with neighbors and friends in the community, Carmela connected with local moms who had items they no longer needed and asked them to pay it forward by donating them to others.
“The goal here is really to help those families who can’t get to the stores, who can’t go from place to place trying to find what they need,” Ms. Shimansky said. “We hope to reach as many people as possible so that they can provide for their families.”
For more information on this and other upcoming events helping local families, visit Carmela’s page on Facebook, One Parent to Another, or www.oysterbaytown.com.