East End-Based Children’s Museum Partners With Food Pantry To Aid Food Insecure Families

In addition to presenting a wide variety of virtual programming to keep little ones engaged through CMEE @ Home during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Children’s Museum of the East End (CMEE) has teamed up with the Bridgehampton Food Pantry to assist families served by the Museum that are facing food insecurity.

“Many families throughout the East End, particularly in the Spanish-speaking population, have been devastated economically during this health crisis,” said Leah Oppenheimer, the Museum’s Director of Community Outreach. “We’re incredibly grateful to work with Tom O’Brien, Eileen Zito and the Bridgehampton Food Pantry to address some of their immediate needs, namely ensuring everyone has enough to eat.”

After receiving the results of an online survey that was filled out by over 50 families who regularly utilize the Museum’s outreach programming, CMEE learned that the vast majority were jobless due to local businesses being forced to shut down to help flatten the curve. Those that answered the questionnaire had never had to rely upon assistance from a food pantry. So, CMEE turned to the Bridgehampton Food Pantry to help ensure that those in need could feed their families.

“How can the Children’s Museum further its mission and promote learning through play if families can’t even eat? This is truly an unprecedented time for the East End and it requires all of us to think outside the box,” Steve Long, the Museum’s President, added. “I really appreciate Tom, Eileen, and other community champions for helping CMEE serve local families when they need our help the most.”

Currently, CMEE’s virtual programming includes In The Kitchen, Springtime Scavenger Hunt, Baby & Me @ Home, DIY Coloring Blocks, Science Fridays – Tomato Dissection, DIY Bird Watching Binoculars, Recipes For Play, Mrs. Leah’s Springtime Mystery Walk, East End Artist Coloring Pages, Songs In The Key of CMEE, CMEE Storytime!, Where Is Domino?, and Homeschool for Beginners.

For more information about the Children’s Museum of the East End, call 631-537-8250 or visit www.cmee.org.