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The country’s worsening baby formula shortage has many parents frantically searching for food for their infants.
Locally, community members are coming together to help out these struggling families, including Angels of Long Island at 350 East Main St. in Patchogue.
Angels of Long Island founder Debbie Loesch is hosting an ongoing baby formula collection and giveaway to ease parents’ stress during the nationwide shortage.
“[The moms] are going to like four or five stores … with the price of gas … to empty shelves and they’re down to the last couple of scoops of formula,” Loesch said. “These families are devastated.”
According to reports, the infant formula shortage is caused by supply chain issues and product recalls, more notably the situation with Abbott, which had to shut down its largest U.S. manufacturing plant in Michigan due to contamination concerns.
Many parents are turning to local food banks and non-profits for aid, and Loesch said she wants to get the word out about her collection effort.
Posted by Angels Of Long Island on Wednesday, May 11, 2022
Loesch said as long as they have the supply, Angels of Long Island will continue to hand out baby formula to those who need it, until the shortage ends. More than 100 cans of formula have been given away so far — a can per family.
Individuals who want to drop off formula or pick some up are encouraged to stop by Angels of Long Island, Monday to Saturday, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Loesch recommended calling ahead to see what is available before coming into the store.
As a grandmother to five grandchildren, Loesch said she believes it’s important to share resources.
She noted that there are people coming into her store seeking baby formula who have the financial means to buy it, but just can’t find it in stores.
“We’re in such a state right now, between the economy and coming out of this virus, mental health is soaring and it’s not talked about,” Loesch said. “People are stressed out enough, and now you’re worried about how to feed your baby.”
For more information and updates, visit Angels of Long Island’s Facebook page.
