The Harry Chapin Food Bank is named for the man who founded Long Island Cares in 1980.  He was truly an extraordinary man.

Time dims many memories but that of Harry seems to grow.  It has been 25 years since the entertainer-activist died in a fiery crash on the Long Island Expressway, yet his imprint on public life is firmer than ever, thanks to his visionary approach to life.  And just as his lifestyle revolved around helping others achieve worthy goals, now these goals help to perpetuate the legend of Harry Chapin.

Chapin regarded himself as a "troubadour," the medieval performer whose songs spoke of love, chivalry, religion, and politics.  Harry used his gift for entertainment to promote causes that he believed in.  In retrospect, his award-winning songs and personal appearances seemed more like the means to an end.  As he himself put it, "volunteerism is a right and we volunteers are carrying out the heritage of this country ... we all have the potential to move the world and the world is ready to be moved."

In one of his most poignant songs, Harry wrote and sang, "Oh if a man tried to take his time on earth and prove before he died what one man's life could be worth, I wonder what would happen to this world." 

Harry Chapin dedicated his life to that philosophy.  He performed half his concerts each year as benefits, worked tirelessly in Washington and across the country to fight hunger, and cared deeply about people in need.

July 16, 2001 marked the twentieth anniversary of Harry's death.  Newsday published two excellent commemorative articles on this occasion: "Music and a Message" and "Chapin's Fight Far From Over."  Two years later, Newsday ran a follow-up story on how "Harry Chapin's Family Continues His Social Activism."

On November 16, 2003, Harry Chapin was inducted into the Long Island Volunteer Hall of Fame by The Long Island Volunteer Center.  And on August 4th, 2006 the installation of the first bench commemorating inductees into the Long Island Volunteer Hall of Fame took place at Bethpage State Park in Farmingdale, New York.  The first person to be so honored: Harry Chapin, founder of Long Island Cares, Inc. – The Harry Chapin Food Bank.

Another sad anniversary of Harry's passing, the thirtieth, was commemorated during the week ending July 16, 2011, which was declared "Legacy 30 Week."  See Long Island Cares Announced Ten Days of Events to Celebrate the Legacy of Harry Chapin and read the two Newsday articles from that week, Events honor Harry Chapin, 30 years later and Singer Harry Chapin recalled as a charitable giant.

Please click here for a capsule biography of Harry Chapin.  For more information on Harry's life, music, and legacy, try these links:

Harry's Friends

Harry Chapin Music