Cocktails for a Cause is an anticipated evening of drinks and networking hosted by the Sid Jacobson JCC’s Nikki Schwartz Memorial Community Needs Bank. Scheduled for Wednesday, June 25, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., this event not only aims to bolster food security on Long Island but also seeks to educate attendees about the organization’s efforts.

Susan Berman, the associate executive director of community engagement at Sid Jacobson JCC, emphasizes that the night will blend fun and philanthropy, encouraging guests to make monetary and food donations to support the Needs Bank. The organization is always in need of shelf-stable, non-perishable food items to cater to the customized needs of its clients.

This marks the fourth year of Cocktails for a Cause, which originated from a suggestion to host birthday celebrations at the Needs Bank. Peter Janowsky, managing director at Ryan & Janowsky Financial Strategies Group, was one of the first to volunteer his birthday event, which gradually evolved into a larger networking gathering.

The event not only focuses on celebrating the communal spirit but also aims to break down barriers, making the Community Needs Bank more visible to locals unfamiliar with its services. Berman states, “We don’t want to be the hidden gem that we were… this networking event is a perfect example of engaging the community in a way that’s social but also educational.”

Participants will have the chance to tour the Needs Bank and witness the invaluable work being done to support the community. As Berman puts it, “We want to celebrate [Janoswky’s] birthday with this great, impactful evening and get us from being a hidden gem to being a great resource in the community.”