Mold Remediation in Hauppauge, NY

The fair, hosted by Long Island Cares, will feature free produce for veterans; and roughly 40 agencies that help veterans will attend.

Patch Staff

HAUPPAUGE, NY — Long Island Cares is set to host its Veterans Resource Fair And Food Distribution at its headquarters in Hauppauge. The event is set for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 9, at 75 Davids Drive, the food bank announced.

The event will feature free produce from its farmers market truck, as well as approximately 40 state, local and national programs and agencies that help veterans, such as the Suffolk County Department of Labor for job hunters; Paws of War; Wounded Warrior Project; New York State Department of Veterans’ Services; LI Veterans Home, more. PSEG Long Island will hand out free lightbulbs.

The event is open to veterans across Long Island, and there is no registration required. Long Island Cares is only asking veterans to provide proof of service.

Justin Berbig, veteran outreach coordinator of Long Island Cares, and Fern Summer, VetsWork Lifeskills specialist, were instrumental in coordinating the upcoming event. Berbig said a couple of months have gone into planning the event, which will be the second time Long Island Cares is organizing it.

"I am getting very excited leading up to the event," Berbig told Patch. "As a veteran myself, it is important to give back to my brothers and sisters that served our nation and to connect them with services and benefits that they earned."

Find out what's happening in Hauppaugefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Summer said working with veterans is "anything but simple or regimented."

"Veterans tend to be very private, especially around civilians," Summer said.

Summer said her work with veterans comes in private, individual meetings as opposed to in public or in groups. Discussion ranges from what type of job they want to what obstacles they face in obtaining that job.

Obstacles for veterans seeking jobs range from transportation to experience to past felonies or misdemeanors to housing, family, pets. hunger, and more, Summer explained.

"At this event, since there will be vendors to provide information, I may suggest to a client veteran that they speak to a specific vendor for information," she said. "For other veterans, this is simply an opportunity to meet and tell that I am available when they are ready to return to work."

Summer's sessions address obstacles that she sees, as well as ones that the veteran identifies. Veteran clients are members of VetsWork for as long as they want or need, meaning some come back years after a first placement.

"Helping veterans reintegrate into civilian life is a huge process and a necessary one," Summer said.

Among the vendors who will be at this event are at least two that address veteran death by suicide and provide connections to assist, veteran to veteran, in coping with the civilian world. Veterans speak their own language, Summer said, and learning "civilian" talk makes assimilation easier, as does dressing like a civilian.

"We will also have vendors to help them obtain the benefits they are entitled to as a veteran, including financial benefits, which give them a bit of help with the costs of daily living," she said. "This is a veteran to veteran thing, as many do not apply for the financial and medical aid they need. All of our vendors have some connection to the veteran community, as a vendor, a source of information, as someone who speaks their language."

Participating organizations and individuals include:

Veterans come with a large set of skills that many civilians either lack or do not consider important, Summer said.

"For example, an acclimated veteran is a very hard worker, usually gives more than an employer requires, has outstanding training and leadership skills," she said. "They are serious workers for the most part, dedicated to family, jobs and other veterans."

Summer is not a veteran herself, but she said she has learned a lot from them.

"I am honored that they listen to what I have to say and ask questions, that they take my advice, that they are willing to work with me," she said. "And I am honored that some of the veterans I have worked with will refer their friends, colleagues, and even relations to me for assistance. I would be happy to discuss some of the non-job related things I do as a member of the LIC Veterans Project staff if you have questions, want more information, or anything else."

Patch has partnered with Feeding America since 2020 to help raise awareness in our local communities of hunger, a persistent national problem exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks and 60,000 local meals programs across the country, estimates that nearly 34 million people, including 9 million children — about 1 in 6 Americans — are living with food insecurity. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.

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At Open Box Liquidation in Hauppauge, Long Island, hundreds of pallets are wrapped and waiting for their mystery to be unraveled.

The pallets come from Costco, Walmart, Amazon, Lowe's and Home Depot, and they range from $350 to $2,000. Some are undecipherable, but others show clues of what's inside -- baby strollers, heaters, pet food, candy bundled with mac and cheese, toys and electronics.

It's the brainchild of Najwa Naderi.

"They are either customer returns, overstock shelf pulls, box damage or undeliverable," she explained.

"It's like you're digging for treasure"

Shopper Terry Simon drove nearly 50 miles from his home in Brooklyn to check it out.

"You really don't know what's in it, something that you don't expect," he said. "It's like you're digging for treasure."

Shopper Derin Gulum, of Smithtown, said he owns a power wash company.

"I bought a few pallets. Some of my friends came in and bought some pallets. They incentivize it if you buy pallets," he said, adding, "It's a niche thing. So I could sell tools, but someone else could see LEGOs. This could be gold to some people. You have to have a keen eye for it."

There are no exchanges or refunds, but many budding entrepreneurs seem more than willing to buy at their own risk.

"They'll buy a few pallets, take it home, break it down, post it on eBay or Marketplace," said Naderi. "We also have customers that work the flea market, and they take it to the flea market and sell it there."

If your vehicle isn't big enough for a mystery pallet, Open Box will arrange the delivery, for a fee.

Jennifer McLogan

During her decades-long career, Jennifer McLogan has been recognized for her coverage of breaking news and live reporting on major stories.

Long Island store sells mystery pallets

At Open Box Pallets Liquidation in Hauppauge, every purchase is a gamble — and that’s exactly the appeal. The Long Island warehouse is filled with more than 150 pallets of returned goods from major retailers like Amazon, Target, Walmart, and Home Depot. But shoppers won’t know exactly what they’re getting until they open the box. FOX 5's Jodi Goldberg has the story.

The Brief

LONG ISLAND - At Open Box Pallet Liquidation on Long Island, what you can’t see is exactly what you get.

This 12,000-square-foot warehouse offers customers a chance to score mystery pallets filled with discounted goods from big-name retailers like Home Depot, Walmart, Amazon, Target, Costco, and more.

Stocked with over 150 pallets, the store offers everything from household items to major appliances.

The store has become a popular spot for those looking to save money, make a profit, or shop sustainably by choosing liquidation over landfills.

Owner Najwa Nadiri explains that the products are often new but have been returned, have damaged packaging, or were shipped incorrectly.

"We don't know what we're receiving every week when we place an order, but when we do get them we open the truck, and we just get blown away with what we find," she says.

Pallets offer a variety of items, including baby strollers, blenders, electronics, and clothing, with prices ranging from $350 to $2,000. Many customers enjoy the thrill of not knowing exactly what's inside. For instance, a pallet valued at nearly $2,000 can be purchased for just $450.

Shoppers can find a wide variety of goods, including strollers, workout equipment, outdoor heaters, clothing, shoes, and scratch-and-dent appliances like refrigerators, washers, and stoves.

Nadiri says she loves it when people come back and tell her how much they sold their pallet for.

Some customers even turn their pallet purchases into side businesses, reselling the items for a profit. The store has become a popular spot for those looking to save money, make a profit, or shop sustainably.

With over 150 liquidation pallets on the floor and new shipments arriving regularly, this Long Island warehouse is quickly becoming a go-to destination for bargain hunters and entrepreneurs alike.

The store is open Tuesdays through Saturdays at 1235 Veterans Memorial Highway in Hauppauge, with both cash and card payments accepted.

HAUPPAUGE, NY — Angela's House was voted Best Charity on Long Island in the 2025 FourLeaf Best of Long Island Awards.

Bob Policastro, founder and executive director of Angela's House, called it a "great honor."

The Hauppauge-based non-profit assists families caring for children with special health care needs who are medically fragile, chronically ill or living with a life-threatening illness.

"The most important thing for me is awareness for the medically fragile children and their families," Policastro told Patch. "This small population in our community, thank God, needs our support. It is the awareness that is essential to children getting the support they need to be safely cared for at home. We do not want our children and families to struggle when we know we can help."

Angela's House has won the best charity category for four consecutive years, a feat Policastro said the team at the nonprofit is "proud" of.

Find out what's happening in Hauppaugefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

"It is very important for our children to be recognized," Policastro said. "The quicker our families get connected, the better their quality of life, and it avoids greater strains on their families."

Policastro said the main goal in 2025 for Angela's House is to continue to work with New York state government to help financially stabilize its three special homes where some of the children live.

"The current funding we receive to operate our homes is far below what is necessary to support the children we care for," Policastro said. "We offer 24-hour nursing in a beautiful home environment where these children live."

Policastro thanked the community for its "wonderful support."

"If you learn about a child who needs long-term care support, please reach out to Angela’s House so we can help the children and their family. Not everyone knows help is out there."

People may call Angela's House at 631-979-2620 or email info@angelashouse.org.

Angela's House was founded in 1992 and aims to ensure children have the best quality of life possible. Fundraised money supports its Everyday Wishes program, which allows Angela's House to purchase medical supplies and therapeutic equipment to provide respite.

Angela's House supports children who have had accidents such as falls, near drownings or other major injuries; those with rare diseases that require a lot of care and nursing support, including neurological disorders; children born with a developmental disability but also have medical problems, said Policastro.

The truck, funded by a Bank of America grant, will allow food-insecure Long Islanders to select fresh fruits and vegetables at no cost.

Michael DeSantis, Patch Staff

HAUPPAUGE, NY — Long Island Cares launched its new farmers market truck Thursday, which will allow food-insecure Long Islanders to select fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables at no cost, the food bank announced.

The customized supermarket-style truck was funded by a $250K Bank of America grant. The truck will deliver produce each week to members of the community experiencing food insecurity, including families, seniors, and veterans.

"We’re grateful to Bank of America for their continued support of our work," said Paule Pachter, CEO of Long Island Cares, in a news release. "This initiative to increase fresh produce to communities in need will allow our neighbors to increase healthy foods in their diets."

As the program ramps up during 2025, Long Island Cares expects to provide nearly one million pounds of food annually, with produce purchased from local and state-wide farms with private and state funding. The long-term plan is to deliver produce three to five days a week, with the goal of expanding the program to five days a week, including weekends.

"Bank of America is an amazing partner in our mission to serve the food insecure," said Jessica Rosati, Long Island Cares vice president for programs and community services. "Their ongoing support provides an open door to serving our neighbors in need."

Find out what's happening in Hauppaugefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

In 2024, Long Island Cares distributed more than 16 million pounds of food to its network of more than 330 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, senior and veteran facilities and Long Islanders experiencing homelessness, to meet the growing demand for food.

The newly launched farmers market truck is expected to serve more than 250 individuals each week at locations across Nassau and Suffolk counties.

"In partnership with Long Island Cares, Bank of America is working to improve the health of ourcommunity by providing Long Islanders’ access to fresh produce," said Jennifer Porti, communityrelations manager, at Bank of America Long Island. "Investing in hunger-relief efforts is vital as we help support Long Island Cares’ mission to fight food insecurity and ensure that vulnerable populations throughout Long Island have access to nutritious foods."

Bank of America partners with hunger-relief and basic-needs agencies that provide access towraparound services and nutritious meals on Long Island. The bank’s longstanding partnership withLong Island Cares to combat food insecurity in local communities goes back over a decade ago.

In 2020, Long Island Cares opened The Hunger Assistance & Humanitarian Center of the Hamptons in Hampton Bays with a $500K Bank of America grant. In its first year, Hampton Bays served more than 7,300 individuals. In 2024 the number had jumped to more than 21K.

An additional $200K grant from Bank of America helped Long Island Cares turn an emergency pandemic distribution site in Bethpage into a permanent annex. This location — The Harry Chapin Food Bank Essential Market — is modeled after a grocery store, enabling visitors to select food items based on their dietary needs in a supportive environment. Through the newly launched farmers market truck funded by Bank of America, more Long Islanders will have their choice of free, seasonal, fresh produce.

Patch has partnered with Feeding America since 2020 to help raise awareness in our local communities of hunger, a persistent national problem exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks and 60,000 local meals programs across the country, estimates that nearly 34 million people, including 9 million children — about 1 in 6 Americans — are living with food insecurity. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.