The INN is a 501 non-profit organization based in Long Island, New York. The INN is the largest organization that fights hunger and homelessness on Long Island. The INN addresses hunger and homelessness on Long Island by providing food, shelter, long-term housing and supportive services. It is estimated that the INN feeds about 5,000 Long Islanders each week.
History
The INN was founded as a single soup kitchen in Hempstead, NY in 1983 by a small group of volunteers who were concerned about the state of hunger on Long Island. The main proponent of this first soup was Patricia O'Connor, a mother of nine, and Michael Moran, then a Chaplain at Hofstra University. Thirty people responded to Pat and Michael's call for volunteers to create this first soup kitchen in Hempstead. Jean Kelly was one of the thirty who responded to that initial call and now resides as the Executive Director of The INN. As success of the first soup kitchen spread through word of mouth, other Long Islanders became passionate about opening more soup kitchens in their own towns. From its inception, The INN has relied on interfaith communities and connections and remains unbiased towards religion, race or ethnicity. In 1984, volunteers realized that hunger wasn't the only problem they could strive to fix, but that homelessness needed attention, too. The INN responded to this problem by opening its first emergency shelter. It subsequently developed into a comprehensive organization that could aid the hungry and homeless throughout Long Island in a variety of ways. As of 2013 the INN operates 14 soup kitchens, three emergency shelters, and one long-term housing program. Each year, The INN hosts an INNkeepers' Ball in order to honor those who have donated their time and resources to The INN, and to raise awareness as well as funds for the organization. Over $1 million was raised at the 2013 INNkeepers' Ball.
Services Offered
The INN offers five services:
Soup Kitchens: The INN currently operates 10 soup kitchens in 14 locations across Long Island. Soup kitchens are available for those who are in need of immediate food.
Emergency Housing: The INN operates three emergency housing shelters. Two of these shelters provide housing for homeless families and one for men who are temporarily experiencing homelessness. The INN works with the Nassau CountyDepartment of Social Services in order to find appropriate housing and achieve the goal of permanent housing for those in need.
Long-Term Housing: By working with families who are experiencing homelessness, The INN is able to provide families with homes and resources in order to reach goals of self-sufficiency and independence.
Center for Transformative Change: In 2016, The INN opened the Center for Transformative Change directly adjacent to the Mary Brennan INN soup kitchen in Hempstead. The goal of the CTC is to serve as a Resource Center to assist guests of the soup kitchen to improve their life circumstances and/or become self-sufficient. The facility also houses a Clothing Boutique, where guests can acquire free clothing, including business attire for interviews or a new job, and housewares.
Supportive Services: Along with providing food and shelter to those in need, The INN also supplies Long Islanders with counseling and case management, tenancy and home management, and educational tutoring for children and parents as well as vocational training.
Notable Partnerships
In 2010, Howitt Middle School in Farmingdale, NY held a dance marathon fundraiser and was able to raise $10,167 which they donated to The INN. In 2011, Ice Girls from the New York Islandershockey team supported a food drive inMineola by volunteering their time to help collect food and greet passersby. In 2013, Walmart donated $75,000 to The INN in order to aid Long Islander's during the holiday season. During that season, Walmart donated a total of $1 million to food pantries and soup kitchens across New York State.
