Just in time to celebrate Martin Luther King Day, the Blue Duck Bakery Cafe will host an “Honor the Dream” food drive.
Non-perishable food items can be dropped off at any Blue Duck Bakery Cafe, including locations in Southold, Greenport, Riverhead and Southampton from Martin Luther King Day on January 19 through January 31. Items will be donated to local food banks.
Nancy Kouris, who owns the Blue Duck Bakery Cafes with her husband Keith, said the reason she chose the giving-back event was that the Riverhead location hosts “Poetry Street,” an event “where every voice is heard” on the fourth Sunday of every month. January 25, she said, will mark the eighth month of the event.
“It is very popular and awesome to hear talented people — published, award-winning poets as well as everyday folk of all ages — telling their stories through poetry, storytelling, essays, song writing and humor. This month’s theme is ‘Dedicated to the Legacy of Dr. King,'” she said.
Wanting to do something to commemorate Dr. King, Kouris said she learned through research that many cities in the United States and in New York State hold food drives in his memory.
The food drive will be held to continue a tradition of commemorative food drives that take place nationwide.
“Recently, I read how local food banks are struggling after the holidays. What better way to honor the great Dr. King and to help our local food banks but to hold a food drive?” Kouris asked.
She added, “The Blue Duck Bakery Cafes regularly donate our leftover bread and pastries to local pantries, soup kitchens and seniors, so this is a natural event for us to do.”
In addition, Robert “Bubbie” Brown, poet, community leader and a co-founder with Susan Dingle, poet and therapist, of “Poetry Street,” will be honored on January 19 at the First Baptist Church of Riverhead’s 30th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Breakfast, Kouris said.
“He is a lovely, dedicated man and I wanted to do this for him, too,” Kouris said.
