Helping Hands in West Islip, Inc., a tax-exempt charity founded in 1990 by Jennifer Gallozzi, is seeking donations of decorated lunch bags/boxes containing non-perishable items, such as flip-top tuna cans, individual applesauce, pudding, cereal boxes, drinks, small snacks, plastic cutlery, napkins, small toys and maybe a "happy day" note, just as if you were preparing a lunch for your child, to be distributed to children attending summer programs whose families had relied upon school lunches to feed them and who cannot afford to provide home-made lunches over the summer.

The government funds free camps for the underprivileged but in many cases does not include free lunches. Helping Hands last year provided over 500 kids meals to various groups and children's programs. With your help, even more children in need can be fed this year.

Donations will be collected June 17, 9:30 a.m. at the American Legion Hall, 340 Union Blvd., West Islip, where volunteers will sort the lunch bags for area distribution. However, the need continues all summer long and Helping Hands will be collecting until the fall.

More information can be obtained at www.freewebs. com/hhinwi or jengallozzi@optonline.net.