Greenport, NY — March 10, 2026 - Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital (SBELIH) was recently recognized by Food Rescue US – North Fork for its growing partnership in redirecting surplus prepared meals to organizations serving individuals and families facing food insecurity across the East End.
During a recent visit to the hospital, Anne Howard and Stephanie McEvily, site Co-Directors of Food Rescue US – North Fork, presented hospital leadership with a plaque recognizing SBELIH’s ongoing commitment to donating excess prepared food from the hospital’s Greenhouse Grill. The collaboration helps ensure that high-quality prepared meals that might otherwise go unused are safely delivered to community organizations in need.
The program continues to grow each year. In 2025, a total of 1,961 pounds of food were rescued and redistributed, more than doubling the 937 pounds recovered in 2024.
“This partnership reflects our commitment to caring for our community in every way we can,” said Paul Connor, Chief Administrative Officer, Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital. “By working with Food Rescue US – North Fork, we are able to reduce food waste while helping ensure that nutritious meals reach neighbors who need them.”
The effort is made possible through the coordination of hospital staff and dedicated volunteers. At SBELIH, Marlene Parrish from the hospital’s Greenhouse Grill works closely with Food Rescue volunteer Holly Cato, helping safely package prepared meals for pickup and distribution. The program is supported by Robert Galinski, Director of Nutritional Services, whose team helps ensure food safety and consistency throughout the process.
“This partnership is a wonderful example of how local organizations can work together to strengthen our community,” said Linda Sweeney, Vice President, Foundation & External Affairs. “We are grateful to Food Rescue US and the volunteers who make it possible to share these meals with organizations that serve those in need across the North Fork.”
Representatives from Food Rescue US – North Fork and SBELIH gathered for a photo following the plaque presentation to recognize the continued success of the program and the collaboration that makes it possible.
Photo Caption:
Representatives from Food Rescue US – North Fork recently presented Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital with a plaque recognizing the hospital’s ongoing partnership in donating surplus prepared food from the Greenhouse Grill to support community food programs. In 2025, the program redirected 1,961 pounds of food, more than doubling the 937 pounds recovered in 2024.
Pictured are Anne Howard, Site Co-Director, Food Rescue US – North Fork; Stephanie McEvily, Site Co-Director, Food Rescue US – North Fork; Paul Connor, Chief Administrative Officer, Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital; Linda Sweeney, Vice President, Foundation & External Affairs; Marlene Parrish, Greenhouse Grill; and Robert Galinski, Director of Nutritional Services.
Credit: Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital
About Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital:
As part of Stony Brook Medicine, Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital (SBELIH) combines the best in academic and community medicine, improving access to advanced medical care for residents of the North Fork and Shelter Island. With 70 beds, SBELIH is Suffolk County’s first hospital, serving all of Suffolk County since 1905. SBELIH provides care to 25,000 year-round residents, and expands to 60,000 residents in the summer, with comprehensive healthcare solutions, including behavioral health, medical-surgical, orthopedics and general surgery, wound care, interventional pain management, gastroenterology, advanced ambulatory care, diagnostic laboratory and radiology services, and physical therapy services. The hospital is also a clinical campus and training site for Stony Brook Medicine, with its first SBELIH Psychiatry resident having graduated in 2022. To learn more, visit elih.stonybrookmedicine.edu.