The Nicholas Center, a local nonprofit dedicated to providing meaningful work and volunteer opportunities for adults with Autism who have aged out of school, proudly announces the launch of Port Provides.
Powered by The Nicholas Center. This program, begun as a COVID response effort by the Community of Chest of Port Washington, acts as an emergency supply chain for over 1,400 Port Washington men, women, children, infants, and senior citizens.
Port Provides’ team of volunteers procures food, diapers and wipes, feminine products and other household necessities and delivers them weekly to local food pantries and community organizations. It has been a life-changing source of goods for the people in our community who need it the most.
“Port Provides brings together Port Washington’s most vulnerable citizens,” explains Nichole Sugrue, co-founder and executive director of The Nicholas Center. “Our participants, who are all adults on the autism spectrum, are too often isolated from meaningful work and volunteer opportunities. But now, as they secure and deliver vital goods for their neighbors in need, they have developed immense pride in their work and deep connections to people in the community. The idea of raising each other up, with neighbor helping neighbor is precisely the idea behind The Nicholas Center. There are no better solutions for our biggest challenges than those we find in our own backyards.”
The supplies purchased and delivered by Port Provides include meat, diapers in all sizes, wipes, personal care items like toothbrushes and toothpaste, feminine hygiene products, and cleaning supplies.
Although Port Provides has some items donated, they purchase a good deal of the products needed, with costs running at approximately $25,000 a month.
“We ask the community’s help to keep this program going, said Sugrue. “You can donate goods or help us fund our purchase of goods via a GoFundMe Campaign at: Port Provides, Powered by The Nicholas Center. We also welcome mitzvah projects, food drives, and other community efforts to support this work.
Please contact Brooke Mellett at 516-767 7177 ext. 412 to arrange deliveries of goods or to make donations other than through the GoFundMe Campaign.
Port Provides is seeking grants and other donations to offset the costs of this important program and to ensure that Port Provides for its own.
Submitted by The Nicholas Center
Lee Anne Vetrone
