Way to Go! Westhampton Beach student helps feed the needy

A Westhampton Beach High School student has spearheaded the collection of thousands of items to help feed those in need.

Madison Esposito, a freshman, recently facilitated a partnership with King Kullen in Eastport in which she collects food that would otherwise be thrown away by the supermarket and transports it weekly with the help of her parents to Lighthouse Mission, a nonprofit organization in Bellport. She has collected more than 150 boxes of produce — ranging from peppers to potatoes — since January.

Before the partnership, Esposito said she raised hundreds of dollars during the past five years to purchase food for the nonprofit by recycling plastic bottles. 

"Not everyone is very lucky, and I feel that it's important to try to lift them up," said Esposito, 15. "It makes me really happy to help other people."

The charity-minded teen said she was inspired to start collecting food after witnessing community members waiting on long lines for food donations. She said she hopes that her efforts will inspire others to help those in need through Lighthouse Mission, which has outreach trucks that provide food at 10 locations throughout Suffolk County.

Esposito is also an avid equestrian, having started riding at the age of 4, and is.a member of her school's Art Club and Key Club.

By Michael R. Ebert

michael.ebert@newsday.com

Michael R. Ebert is an education researcher and has worked for Newsday in various capacities since 2003. He was part of an 11-person team named as 2008 Pulitzer Prize finalists for investigative coverage of the LIRR's platform safety issues.