Food pantry treated to slice of Levy funds

Part of Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy's forfeited $3.9-million campaign fund will help feed the hungry, thanks to a civic leader's initiative. Nancy Manfredonia, executive director of the Central Islip Civic Council, sent 120 letters to Levy contributors, asking them to donate at least part of their refunds to the council's food pantry. She enclosed copies of the refund application, and said the council has received $6,000 through this effort.

Levy said in March that he would forgo re-election and turn over the fund to District Attorney Thomas Spota, ending a probe. The deadline to request refunds was Thursday. John Cochrane, overseeing the matter for Spota, said that as of Friday he had received requests from 910 individuals involving 3,000 contributions, totaling $2.5 million.-- Rick Brand