Community

Help Feed Rockland County Children Through Summer Hunger Relief Campaign

Published

6 days ago

July 5, 2026

Summer Should Be About Fun—Not Hunger.

For thousands of children across Rockland County, the end of the school year also means the loss of a reliable source of nutritious meals.

While summer is a time for vacations and outdoor adventures for many families, more than 15,000 local children face food insecurity when school cafeterias close. Transportation challenges, parents’ work schedules, and limited access to summer meal sites can make it difficult for families to put healthy food on the table.

To help meet this urgent need, Rockland Community Against Hunger (RCAH) has launched its annual Summer Hunger Relief Campaign, ensuring children and families have access to nutritious food throughout the summer months.

Working alongside the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York, local school districts, food pantries, and community organizations, RCAH is expanding food distribution to reach families where they need it most.

Most importantly, 100% of every donation goes directly toward purchasing food for children and families in need.

“There are more than 60,000 children under the age of 17 in Rockland County, and nearly one in four lives below the federal poverty level,” said Anita Dreichler, coordinator of Rockland Community Against Hunger. “That means more than 15,000 children need our help. As a collaboration of food pantries and meal programs, we can do more to support these children—especially during the summer months when school meal programs are limited.”

Maria Vanessa Cipolla, chair of the Spring Valley Collaborative, said no child should go hungry simply because school is out.

“This initiative is about neighbors helping neighbors,” Cipolla said. “By working together, we can ensure our children have the nourishment they need not only to survive, but to thrive.”

The campaign brings together nonprofit organizations, schools, public health partners, and community advocates in a united effort to combat childhood hunger across Rockland County.

How You Can Help

Community members, local businesses, civic organizations, and philanthropic partners are encouraged to support the Summer Hunger Relief Campaign with a financial contribution.

Every dollar donated goes directly toward providing nutritious food to children and families throughout Rockland County this summer.

To make a donation, visit the Rockland Community Against Hunger donation page or learn more at www.rocklandhunger.org.

Together, our community can help ensure that no child has to wonder where their next meal will come from this summer.

Community

Orangeburg Fire Department to Host Community Blood Drive Amid Blood Emergency

Published

1 hour ago

July 11, 2026

Rockland Report Admin

As blood supplies remain critically low, the Orangeburg Fire Department is encouraging residents to roll up their sleeves and help save lives by participating in an upcoming community blood drive.

The blood drive will be held Saturday, July 25, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Orangeburg Fire House, located at 61 Dutch Hill Road, Orangeburg.

Hosted in partnership with the New York Blood Center, the event comes as a blood emergency has been declared, highlighting the urgent need for donors to help replenish the region’s blood supply. Blood donations are essential for trauma victims, surgery patients, cancer treatments and others facing medical emergencies.

Appointments are preferred and can be made through the New York Blood Center at NYBC.org, although walk-in donors will be welcomed as space permits.

Eligible donors must be at least 17 years old, or 16 with a signed parental consent form, meet minimum weight requirements, be feeling healthy and symptom-free, and bring a donor ID card or a photo ID.

Organizers also encourage donors to eat a healthy meal and drink plenty of fluids before donating.

Every blood donation has the potential to save lives, making each donor’s contribution an important step in ensuring local hospitals have the blood they need when emergencies arise.

Community

Rockland Residents Urged to Donate Blood as Regional Supply Faces Ongoing Need

Published

1 hour ago

July 11, 2026

Rockland Report Admin

With only about 2% of eligible New Yorkers donating blood, maintaining an adequate blood supply remains an ongoing challenge for hospitals in Rockland County, the Hudson Valley and across the state.

Unlike many medical treatments, blood cannot be manufactured, and because blood products have a limited shelf life, the need for donors never ends. Red blood cells can be stored for about 42 days, while platelets remain usable for only five to seven days, requiring a constant supply of new donations to meet patient needs.

Blood transfusions play a critical role in treating trauma victims, surgical patients, cancer patients and others facing life-threatening medical emergencies. According to the New York Blood Center, a single blood donation can help save up to three lives.

To help strengthen the regional blood supply, Rockland Paramedic Services is partnering with the New York Blood Center to host a community blood drive on Wednesday, Aug. 6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at RPS headquarters in New City as part of NYBC’s “Blood for a Brew” campaign.

As first responders, paramedics witness firsthand the importance of having blood readily available before an emergency occurs. Organizers say the event is intended to raise awareness of the region’s ongoing need for blood donors while encouraging eligible residents to make a donation that could benefit patients throughout the Hudson Valley.

Officials emphasize that maintaining a strong local and regional blood supply depends on regular donors. Because blood products expire quickly and demand remains constant, every donation helps ensure hospitals have lifesaving blood available when it is needed most.

Residents who are eligible to donate are encouraged to participate in the Aug. 6 blood drive and help support hospitals and patients across the region.