What’s Cookin’? – Smithtown
By Nancy Vallarella
What makes Smithtown attractive? Earlier this year I responded, “The people who live here and their commitment to community.” I feel the same way today. I felt this way shortly after moving to Smithtown nearly twelve years ago. Smithtown has and I am most certain, will always be, full of heart. It does a great job keeping tummies full too.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Taking the lead back on September 15th, Yogurtini of Smithtown 
Yogurtini Smithtown (44 East Main Street) hosted their grand opening with a fundraiser for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation. They donated three hours of free frozen yogurt with balloons and face painting for the kids. Town of Smithtown resident and co-owner Ellen Benziner states why she selected the breast cancer cure cause; “There is no six degrees of separation with incidents of breast cancer on Long Island.” An estimated five hundred Smithtown residents attended the event. In turn they were treated to Yogurtini’s classic frozen yogurt flavors and the more adventurous birthday cake batter, red velvet, peach cobbler, cinnamon bun swirl and pumpkin flavors. Non-dairy and no sugar added yogurt options were available as well as a wide variety of toppings.
In addition to all of the yummy goodness, Yogurtini is dedicated to helping the Smithtown community. They will enthusiastically host your group in their store. If you are looking to raise funds for a non-profit organization, contact Ellen at 631-656-5955 or reference www.yogurtini.com/fundraising.
The Smithtown Children’s Foundation is hosting their 1st Annual Clothing and Food Drive. Stop by 
Thursday, October 25th, from 6:00pm – 9:00pm the Senior Resource Center of Long Island will host the 7th annual Taste of Smithtown. This event will be held at Mercedes-Benz of Smithtown’s temporary location (587 Middle Country Road, Saint James) while their showroom is under reconstruction. Last year’s event was a smorgasboard of almost thirty of Smithtown’s culinary establishments providing small plate tastings of their best products. Isles of raffle prizes and the company of dedicated community people make this one of the best fundraising social events Smithtown has to offer. Tickets are $25 per person and sponsorship opportunities are still available. At this year’s event attendees will make their checks out to one of three charities being honored; Gift of Life, Smithtown Children’s Foundation and Smithtown Emergency Food Pantry. Contact SRLI at 631-544-6500 or www.srli.info to purchase tickets in advance or inquire about sponsorship opportunities. Food donations for the Smithtown Emergency Food Pantry will also be collected at this event.
There are several food pantries in and near Smithtown. In addition to the Thanksgiving items listed for the Smithtown Children’s Foundations Food Drive, here is a list of staples food pantries are always in need of: dried rice and pasta, canned or dried beans and peas, canned fruits and vegetables, cereals and oatmeal, milk in shelf-stable forms, fruit juices, jellies, peanut butter, tomato based sauces and CASH.
This Sunday, October 7th until November 28th from 9:00am – 2:00pm the Kings Park Farmer’s Market conducts a bi-weekly collection of fresh and canned food donations for the St. Joseph’s Church Food Pantry. The KPFM is located in the municipal parking lot across from the Kings Park Fire Department on Rt. 25A.
Customers who frequent or who have “LIKED” the Tic Toc Café in Saint James on Facebook know they give away dozens of bagels when they have excess late in the afternoon. I know this first hand because I walked back to my car on St. James Day with a giant bag of free bagels. They even asked me which ones I’d prefer. Froze some and shared some with my neighbor. Thank you Tic Toc Café!
Good job everyone who makes Smithtown full and never empty!