Rock and Wrap It Up! receives $30,000 grant

Originally published in Nassau Herald

State Sen. Todd Kaminsky (D-Long Beach) helped secure a $30,000 grant for the Cedarhurst-based anti-poverty think tank Rock and Wrap It Up!

Rock and Wrap It Up! is a nonprofit founded by Cedarhurst resident Syd Mandelbaum in 1994. The organization seeks to fight poverty and hunger across the country by donating food and other items to those in need. 

Mandelbaum said the grant will help expand its service area by hiring additional personnel and purchasing new equipment.

“Thank you to Senator Kaminsky for helping secure this grant,” Mandelbaum said. “With this funding we’ll be able to expand our reach and help more families struggling with food insecurity.”

Kaminsky helped secure the grant through the County's Office of Community Development. He said that he hopes the grant will help address the growing issue of food insecurity in the Five Towns.

“No one in our community should be worrying about where their next meal is coming from, especially during a health crisis,” he said. “I’m happy to have secured these critical funds for Rock and Wrap it Up so they can expand their food distribution programs and help put an end to hunger in the Five Towns.”

County Executive Laura Curran said that she will continue to address food insecurity in the county.

“Nassau County is battling hunger and rapidly increasing access to food supplies for those who are most in need,” she said. “I am proud to partner with ‘Rock and Wrap It Up’ and Senator Kaminsky to fight hunger by distributing donated food to residents who need it – all part of our multi-faceted strategy to address food insecurity.”