Skelos, Coca-Cola Partner to Bring Food To Hispanic Brotherhood Pantry

Coca-Cola employees from its Smithton facility, partnered with Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, recently collected more than 250 items and 70 cases of beverages for the Hispanic Brotherhood Food Pantry in Rockville Centre. It is the first delivery in five for the area, as Coca-Cola collections will continue through the end of the year.  

Coca-Cola employees are leading the first food drive in partnership with the Hispanic Federation, an organization that provides grants to a broad network of Latino non-profit agencies and advocates for the most vulnerable members of the Hispanic community on such issues as health education, immigration and economic empowerment.   

"Due to the difficult economy, there are many families struggling to make ends meet or even just to put food on the table this holiday season,” Skelos said. "This generous contribution from Coca-Cola will help supplement the good work done by the Hispanic Brotherhood and the Hispanic Federation, and will affect many local families in a positive way."   

“We are deeply grateful for the commitment Coca-Cola and its employees have made to our hunger relief initiative, Lucha contra el hambre,” said Lillian Rodriguez Lopez, president of the Hispanic Federation. “This food donation will allow us to replenish the food bank shelves of our non-profit agencies and continue the fight to end hunger in our communities.”  

“Coca-Cola’s commitment to building sustainable communities through philanthropy and the creation of opportunities through philanthropy are key to improving the quality of life in the areas we operate,” said Frank Palma, distribution center manager of Coca-Cola Refreshments in Smithtown, Long Island. “Coca-Cola has always taken the initiative by responding to key organizations like the Hispanic Federation to provide in-kind donations and volunteer service.”