With the opening of our first store on Long Island fast approaching, the Lake Grove leadership team has been focused on building relationships and getting to know and support the local community.

“It is such a warm and welcoming community; we are enjoying getting to know the people who live here,” says Store Manager Dawn Cooper. “From volunteering at events to sponsoring them, the team has done a great job building connections in the area, and we are excited to have those connections grow.”

Our commitment to the community includes addressing local food insecurity and supporting a variety of community organizations and events. Over the summer, fall, and holiday season, the Lake Grove Wegmans team participated in festivals, volunteered for and coordinated donations to local food pantries, and sponsored holiday celebrations.

Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, the team assisted in celebrating the season by sponsoring the annual Pictures with Santa display at the Smith Haven Mall, located across the street from the new store location. This also provided an opportunity for some of our employees to meet and answer questions about the store from future shoppers.

On December 12, 2024, the Lake Grove Wegmans’ management team partnered with Long Island Cares (LIC) to continue to help sort products, pack supplies and learn about all the great things LIC does for Suffolk and Nassau counties.

“The LIC team received us with open arms and walked us through how to best serve the community,” says Service Area Manager Iliana Tunison. “We are proud to partner with an organization that is rich in history and whose vision is to improve food security for families.”

Bob LaBarbara, Vice President for Procurement & Supply Chain Oversight at LIC says the partnership is already making a difference and appreciates the work the volunteers provided.

“They brought great energy the entire time they were here, sorting through donated products, packing boxes and helping our warehouse staff,” says Bob. “With Wegmans’ help, we will be better able to support those on Long Island experiencing hunger, including families, children, seniors, veterans, unhoused individuals, and others who need assistance.”

Long Island Cares is one of two food banks the store will team works with to pick up donations several days each week. The second is Island Harvest, where the team volunteered at a drive-up donation location in late January.

“We are excited to partner with Island Harvest on their mission to end hunger and reduce food waste on Long Island,” says Iliana. “This was a rewarding experience as it allowed us to witness firsthand the remarkable difference Island Harvest makes in the community.”

The Lake Grove team will continue to support LIC and Island Harvest through our annual Check Out Hunger scanning (seasonal campaign) and by providing donations three days a week to each food pantry through our perishable pick-up program. The value of these partnerships is immeasurable as we share the goal of making a difference in the communities we serve.

To date, the store team has donated nearly $30,000 to over two dozen local non-profit organizations and events, including United Way of Long Island, Village of Lake Grove for the Summer and Harvest Festivals, Ronkonkoma Fire Department, Suffolk Community College Foundation, Sachem Teen Center, and United Veterans Beacon House.