STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — While the Island Auto Group conducts a number of charitable collections during the holiday season, Santa came early this time around when the dealership hosted a collection from within.

As a result of the “drive,” a total of $10,000 will be distributed to the Staten Island Giving Circle’s Food Scarcity Initiatives.

In addition, Toyota followed by matching that number bringing the donation up to $20,000.

Marcello Sciarrino, co-owner of Island Auto Group — and his wife Charlotte Sciarrino — followed by contributing $2,500 making a total of $22,500, part of which will be directed to the Veteran’s Pantry Initiative to be utilized by 175 veterans on a monthly basis.

Island Auto stepped to the plate and donated funds which will be directed to the Food Insecurity Programs, including the Veteran’s Food Panty, the Weekend Food Backpack Program — which assists children and Pop-Up Food Pantries in three schools on Staten Island.

“I am so proud of the initiative because our employees came together and stepped up to give to the community,” said Marcello Sciarrino. “We are so happy to be a part of this partnership together with Toyota as a way to give back and help our veterans who have done so much for our country.”

More on the Staten Island Giving Circle

The Staten Island Giving Circle founded in 2008 by Evelyn Kormanik who’s a 2012 Advance Woman of Achievement, is an all-volunteer organization which assists and supports children, seniors and military veterans living on Staten Island.

According to Michele Yacovello, president of the organization, “We create opportunities for Staten Islanders to make a difference in the lives of the people in their own community. And that’s the beauty of our relationship with Island Auto.”

Yacovello went on to explain that the largest endeavor is the Veteran’s Food Pantry, in addition to a weekend Food Backpack Program where every Friday 150 families who are food insecure, receive groceries for days when schools aren’t in session.

Kathy Barzal, who leads the Veteran’s Initiative at the Staten Island Giving Circle, noted that the Veteran’s Food Pantry began in March of 2024 with 12 veterans with a goal to honor and support our veterans by ensuring that none who have served go hungry.

The organization provides nourishment and essentials for veterans and surviving spouses. A sense of belonging is fostered through community engagement and socialization opportunities.

“We now have 174 we serve monthly. Out of that 174 we have 44 deliveries to at home veterans who can’t make it to us whether it’s health or transportation challenges.”

She added that each month they have more veterans joining the pantry.

“We have over 30 volunteers who help run the pantry between pantry volunteers who stock, sort, make phone calls to the veterans, and delivery people. It does take a village. I’m happy to be a Staten Island Giving Circle member and also the coordinator of the pantry and our veteran’s socialization activities as well.”