Today PSEG Long Island, Island Harvest and Stop & Shop are encouraging residents to donate food ahead of the holiday weekend.

The PSEG Long Island’s Power to Feed collection drive kicks off in Massapequa today from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The goal is to help neighbors who are struggling to feed themselves and their families every day.

Food collection bins and a drive-through option will be set up at the Stop & Shop supermarket on the corner of Hicksville Road and Jerusalem Avenue where members of the public can donate nonperishable items and household essentials for neighbors facing food insecurity.

Nonperishable food (no glass jars, please): Healthy varieties of canned foods, such as low-sodium beans, vegetables, soups, pasta sauces and tomato varieties, tuna and chicken, along with rice, pasta, popcorn kernels, nut butters, olive and canola oil, spices and pet food.

Household essentials: Toilet paper, paper towels, hand sanitizer, laundry detergent and dish soap.

Personal care items: Toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, soap, shampoo, conditioner, feminine care products and shaving products, antibacterial wipes and washcloths.

Baby care items: Diapers, wipes, formula, creams, ointments and baby wash.

The initiative aims to collect the equivalent of 30,000 meals during July, August and September.

Last year, the equivalent of nearly 22,000 meals were collected – 1,000 meals more than the 21,000-meal goal for 2021.

Power to Feed Long Island was created to restock Island Harvest Food Bank’s warehouse shelves with healthy, nutritious meals.