Massapequa and the Village of Massapequa Park had an eventful day on Friday, May 8th, 2020. There was both a Massapequa Water Main Break and a food drive held at the Massapequa Mall. Here are the details.
New York American Water Main Break
Both Massapequa and Village of Massapequa Park residents reported low water pressure late Friday night and in the early hours of Saturday morning. Other Massapequa Park residents reported they had lost water completely.
When first experiencing low water pressure, many people worry it is due to a clogged pipe in their home.
However, thanks to modern technology and social media, Massapequa and Massapequa Park residents were able to quickly share their experience and come to the conclusion that it wasn’t just their house, allowing for a sigh of relief.
New York American Water was quick to respond stating there was a water main break in the Massapequa Area and they were trying to locate it as soon as possible.
Massapequa resident Denise Barrett reported on Facebook that it seemed as if the break was at the intersection of Merrick Road and Unqua Road. The break looked like “white water rapids going across Merrick Road” explained Barrett.
After the location was identified, New York American Water was quick to have crews on-site and work through the night to restore water pressure to the Greater Massapequa area.
In a Saturday morning update, New York American Water stated: “UPDATE: As of 8 AM Saturday, water service has been restored.”
Thank you to New York American Water for handling the situation quickly and effectively. As everyone is couped up in their homes due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, low water pressure is the last thing people need right now.
Island Harvest Food Bank at Massapequa Mall
On Friday, May 8th, Island Harvest Food Bank hosted a drive-thru food bank at the Westfield Sunrise Massapequa Mall via the Nourish New York Program. Due to record unemployment numbers from the COVID-19 health crisis, providing food has become a struggle for many families in our area.
The Island Harvest Food Bank was the largest distribution site in New York State, feeding a total of over 3,000 people in need within our local community. In total, the Nourish New York program is expected to feed at least 20,000 families in the state.
The goods provided at the Island Harvest Food Bank include food, dairy, and produce from upstate farms that would have otherwise expired. This is made possible from a partnership between Island Harvest Food Bank and the State of New York via the Nourish New York program.
Nourish New York granted $25 million to food banks to buy food from farmers and provide it to the communities who need it. In some communities, the need for food has increased by 200% in recent weeks.
People in need of food had the option to either walk up and receive the food they need or to pull in and have food loaded in the back of their vehicle. This allows for even high-risk individuals to get access to the food they need if they cannot afford it.
The biggest beneficiaries of this event seem to be people who normally rely on food pantries as their main source of food but haven’t been able to receive a sufficient amount in recent weeks. This is because the COVID-19 pandemic has diminished the supply of food pantries across the country.
So far, the events such as the food bank at Westfield Sunrise Massapequa Mall have been a huge success. Island Harvest Food Bank has already distributed more than 1 million pounds of food since the beginning of March at more than 330 sites across Nassau and Suffolk counties.
The Massapequa Mall was just one of 60 distribution sites throughout New York State this past week alone. The grant from New York State allows this program to continue over the span of the next couple of months.
If you are already planning your first trip back to the Westfield Sunrise Massapequa Mall after the pandemic to shop, be sure to check out our much needed Massapequa Mall Survival Guide to make your experience the best it can be.
When is the Next Island Harvest Food Bank at Massapequa Mall?
The future distribution dates and sites will be announced in the near future. For more information about the future food banks and how you can get involved, visit the Island Harvest Website.
So far, the events such as the food bank at Westfield Sunrise Massapequa Mall have been a huge success. Island Harvest Food Bank has already distributed more than 1 million pounds of food since the beginning of March at more than 330 sites across Nassau and Suffolk counties.