Food Security Summit 2023
Stay in the know!
Sign up to get the latest Food Bank news, events, and action alerts right in your inbox.
By signing up, you agree to receive email communications from Food Bank For New York City. We value your privacy
Helpful Links
Donate
With your support New Yorkers in need will gain access to nutritious food and hope for a better future.
Food Bank For New York City is an independent, nonprofit 5013 organization. EIN: 13-3179546Main Office: 39 Broadway, New York, NY 10006 | Phone: 212.566.7855 | Fax: 212.566.1463 | Email: donorservices@foodbanknyc.org© 2022 Food Bank For New York City. Food Bank For New York City name, program names, and materials are registered trade and service marks. Certain photographs throughout the site courtesy of Joey O’Loughlin.
What Is A Soup Kitchen
A soup kitchen is a place where you can sit down and have a free hot meal. It is run by compassionate volunteers that cook and feed the homeless and anyone hungry. Soup kitchens are visited by men, women, as well as families.
The atmosphere is warm and friendly, and no one is made to feel uncomfortable or judged. The biggest meals are Thanksgiving and, of course, Christmas. These meals are often open to the entire community, and everything is done with volunteers help.
Meals And Services In Harlem
Community Meal :Monday Friday: 4:00pm 6:00pm2 meals per personNo registration or ID required.
Do you have children in your household? Join our Supper Klub and receive meals for everyone in your home.
Community Kitchen and Pantry in Harlem252 West 116th Street
Youth Supper Klub
Supper Klub meals are currently offered as to-go meals ONLY.
Supper Klub Meal :Monday Friday: 4:00pm-6:00pm
If you have children in your household, let us know, and well give you meals for everyone in your home.
Easy on-site registration for Supper Klub family meal pick-up.
Community Pantry
Registration is required
Senior-only Pantry bag pick-up times:Tuesdays and Thursdays: 9:30am 11:00am
Pantry bag pick-up times:
Recommended Reading: Food Bank Central And Eastern Nc
Become A Social Media Ambassador
Food Banks Social Media Ambassador Program is a way for volunteers to amplify resources for New Yorkers facing food insecurity, boost Food Banks mission on social media, and advocate by using their voices creatively and intentionally online all while earning volunteer service hours.
Volunteers choose actions to complete , tag #FoodBankAmbassador, and document with screenshots to earn service hours for posting.
How To Get More Free Food
You usually can only get help once a month. This is why you must be aware of your communitys food pantries and food banks. If possible, get groceries from other locations during the month. Remember, you will not receive the amount of food you would get when shopping. You may not like some of the items you receive, or your kids may not eat. Do the best you can.
For more locations, go to Feeding American.
You May Like: Columbus Ohio Food Bank Volunteer
How Do I Qualify To Get Free Food
Policies may vary from place to place. You may need a referral from a screening agency. This assures only those who financially qualify for help receive it. You may also require a photo ID and proof of address, as agencies tend to help those in the pantry area or zip code. Find your borough and contact the agency below to get free groceries.
What Is The Difference Between A Food Pantry Food Bank Or Soup Kitchen
- Community organizations and local churches sponsor feeding programs for the community. They are not associated with a government agency. Its mission is to feed and meet other needs of residents with additional referrals to clothing and laundry services, which they do not provide.
- A food pantry may also offer hot meals at designated times. A food bank is the storage place for tons of food, toiletries, and other products and distributes this food to smaller locations that give out canned foods, fresh meat, and vegetables when available. They get donations from organizations, individuals, churches, and charities.
- A Soup kitchen is a place to get a hot meal. You come in, get in line, and friendly volunteers will serve you. Soup kitchens are usually run by a church or community organizations.
Don’t Miss: Rocky Mountain Food Bank Volunteer
Food Bank For New York City
| Formation | 1983 39 years ago |
|---|---|
| Founder | |
| Volunteers | 1,200 |
Food Bank For New York City is a non-profit social services organization and the major hunger-relief organization working against hunger in the five boroughs. Its aim is to organize food, information and support for needy citizens of New York City.
Free Food Pantries Soup Kitchens And Groceries In New York City
Residents of New York City can receive free food, groceries, and meals from emergency pantries as well as soup kitchens. Centers are located in all the boroughs, including Queens, Brooklyn, and Manhattan, with many open daily. Some examples of the assistance that can be provided include free emergency food or grocery boxes, perishable items, Thanksgiving and Christmas meals, and more.
The pantries and soup kitchens near you listed below are across the region, including in the Bronx and Staten Island. Each and every free food bank or pantry will do their best to help all that need support, with priority for seniors and children in New York City. Many also offer free Meals on Wheels delivery forthe elderly, disabled and homebound.
While the focus is on meeting nutritional needs, some of the pantries, churches as well as charities will offer other means of support. For example, many run special seasonal Thanksgiving, Easter or Christmas assistance programs, and can provide free holiday meals or gifts. Some New York City centers offer senior programs, such as home delivered and congregate meals.
Other support can include free baby formula, summer meals, and help in applying for programs such as SNAP food stamps or free personal hygiene as well as cleaning supplies. There is also groceries and free hot meals for newcomers to the city, including immigrants and refugees.
Don’t Miss: Where Can I Donate Expired Food
Hunger Is Big But Our Love Is Bigger
A survey released earlier this month by City Harvest and United Way of New York City polled more than 16,000 New Yorkers who received free food from the charity relief groups across the five boroughs. It found 87% of the respondents anticipate turning to food pantries and food banks more often in the coming months.
Prior to the pandemic, 7.4 million New Yorkers visited food pantries and soup kitchens served by City Harvest from July to December 2019, according to the food rescue and distribution organization. During the same six-month period in 2020, the number surged to 12.7 million individuals, then dropped slightly the following year to 11.9 million people.
Forty-two million Americans are struggling with food insecurity. We know that among people who were already vulnerablesingle moms and communities of colorthat insecurity has worsened.
We aim to transform our community from a food-focused charities into community empowerment center that foster long-term stability and advocates for a paradigm shift away from the notion of hunger as a short-term emergency. Food is a human right not a privilege.
Soup Kitchen And Food Pantry Listings
There are many listings of soup kitchens and food pantries in NYC and some helpful ones can be found below. A lot of the same services can be found on different resource lists, but information such as the days and times for services can change frequently so it is always best to call ahead whenever possible to double-check that the assistance you need will be available when you plan on going.
- The Coalition for the Homeless provides pocket resource guides with information on where to get assistance with food and other basic needs. For information on receiving a guide, please .
- The Food Bank for New York City provides a Food Program Locator, which helps to identify all the soup kitchens, food pantries, and senior centers in your area.
- The New York City Coalition Against Hunger provides food guides in English, Spanish, and Chinese.
- Information on food resources is also available by phone through the NYC Hunger Hotline at 866.888.8777.
Homelessness in NYC: The Facts
- Tonight, more than 60,000 New Yorkers will sleep in homeless shelters.
- More than 13,000 of those in shelter are families, including nearly 19,000 kids.
Recommended Reading: Akron Canton Food Bank Stark County
Tracy Morgan And Friends Team Up With The Food Bank Of New York City To Distribute Food For Thanksgiving During A Pop
Food Bank Pop-Up Thanksgiving Distribution With Tracy Morgan And Friends
Sean Ringgold attends Food Bank Pop-Up Thanksgiving Distribution with Tracy Morgan and Friends on November 19, 2022 in Brooklyn, New York.
Food Bank Pop-Up Thanksgiving Distribution With Tracy Morgan And Friends
Sean Ringgold and Tracy Morgan attend Food Bank Pop-Up Thanksgiving Distribution with Tracy Morgan and Friends on November 19, 2022 in Brooklyn, New York.
Food Bank Pop-Up Thanksgiving Distribution With Tracy Morgan And Friends
Council Member Ari Kagan, center, attends Food Bank Pop-Up Thanksgiving Distribution with Tracy Morgan and Friends on November 19, 2022 in Brooklyn, New York.
Food Bank Pop-Up Thanksgiving Distribution With Tracy Morgan And Friends
Tracy Morgan attends Food Bank Pop-Up Thanksgiving Distribution with Tracy Morgan and Friends on November 19, 2022 in Brooklyn, New York.
Food Bank Pop-Up Thanksgiving Distribution With Tracy Morgan And Friends
Sean Ringgold attends Food Bank Pop-Up Thanksgiving Distribution with Tracy Morgan and Friends on November 19, 2022 in Brooklyn, New York.
Food Bank Pop-Up Thanksgiving Distribution With Tracy Morgan And Friends
Tracy Morgan attends Food Bank Pop-Up Thanksgiving Distribution with Tracy Morgan and Friends on November 19, 2022 in Brooklyn, New York.
Food Bank Pop-Up Thanksgiving Distribution With Tracy Morgan And Friends
Food Bank Pop-Up Thanksgiving Distribution With Tracy Morgan And Friends
Be A Volunteer Tax Preparer
BE A VOLUNTEER TAX PREPARER
Food Banks Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program has put more than $1 billion back into the pockets of low-income New Yorkers, and we rely on over 300 dedicated volunteers each tax season to support this impactful anti-poverty work.
This Tax Season, Food Bank will be offering three models of tax filing services: Contactless In-Person , Social Distanced In-Person , and Virtual . NOTE: Volunteers must present proof of vaccination for in-person volunteer shifts.
Don’t Miss: Community Food Bank Of Southern Az
Food Banks Pantries In High Demand As Inflation Surges Ahead Of Pandemic’s Third Year
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2022. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Miguel Rodriguez stood in a long line outside a food pantry in Long Island City, waiting for his turn to pick up free groceries after his construction company canceled a day of work.
It was the first time Rodriguez, 38, of Elmhurst, came to the pantry run by the charity Hour Children. He said he now earns 30% less than his pre-pandemic wage and his hours are not steady.
We have two kids at home. We need food. I’m working. We are working, but it’s not enough, said Rodriguez, who lost his job as a cook in March 2020 when the restaurant he was working at went out of business after the government ordered non-essential businesses to close.
Rising food prices are forcing New Yorkers struggling to feed themselves and their families to rely more on food banks and pantries. U.S. inflation has hit its highest level since 1982, eroding consumers purchasing power and exacerbating the food insecurity crisis that existed before COVID-19 swept through the city.
Miguel Rodriguez of Elmhurst picks up a small plant for his daughter.
But two years into a pandemic that has killed nearly 6 million people worldwide and nearly 40,000 New York City residents, the city is still recovering from the economic fallout. Jobs are slowly returning, but unemployment in the city remains high, particularly in the service industry.
Tagged
Food Bank For New York City Salary Faqs
The average Food Bank For New York City salary ranges from approximately $57,492 per year for a Coordinator to $160,864 per year for a Director. The average Food Bank For New York City hourly pay ranges from approximately $23 per hour for a Tax Preparer to $23 per hour for a Tax Preparer. Food Bank For New York City employees rate the overall compensation and benefits package 3.7/5 stars.
The highest-paying job at Food Bank For New York City is a Director with a salary of $160,864 per year.
The lowest-paying job at Food Bank For New York City is a Coordinator with a salary of $57,492 per year.
Food Bank For New York City employees attributed a compensation and benefits rating of 3.7/5 stars to their company. Read what they think about their salaries on our Compensation FAQ page for .
Also Check: Food Banks In Dallas Texas
What We Aim To Solve
Food Bank For New York City is NYCs largest hunger-relief organization. We distribute food and resources through our network of nearly 1,000 food pantries, soup kitchens, schools, and other partners. More than 1.1 million New Yorkers were experiencing food insecurity before the pandemic and that number has only grown over the past year. Food Bank projects that nearly 1.6 million NYC residents will experience food insecurity in 2021 due to the economic fallout of COVID-19.People who had never set foot on a pantry line have now become regular clients. Essential workers, furloughed employees, single parents, and seniors have all turned to us to fill in food gaps for themselves and their families during this challenging time. More and more New Yorkers are depending on us to make ends meet, so were working to provide more resources to our member agencies on the ground and implement new strategies to fight hunger wherever it exists.
How Much Food Can My Family Get From A Food Pantry
You can usually get one bag of groceries for each family member. Some locals occasionally have meat, poultry, and fresh fruit and vegetables. If available, you may also be able to get soap detergent, bathing soap, deodorant, toilet paper, and other toiletries. Ask about Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets to see if you are eligible for a turkey and all the fixings.
You May Like: How To Get Food Donations From Walmart
Food Banks In New York City Ny
SuperPagesSM – helps you find the right local businesses to meet your specific needs. Search results are sorted by a combination of factors to give you a set of choices in response to your search criteria. These factors are similar to those you might use to determine which business to select from a local SuperPages directory, including proximity to where you are searching, expertise in the specific services or products you need, and comprehensive business information to help evaluate a business’s suitability for you. SuperPages advertisers receive higher placement in the default ordering of search results and may appear in sponsored listings on the top, side, or bottom of the search results page.
Join A Virtual Service Event
Food Bank hosts largescale Virtual Service Hours on Zoom, bringing together volunteers from across the country to join in impactful virtual service activities. These events pair virtual service with educational panel conversations on food insecurity topics with guest speakers.
Recent virtual events have included our Virtual Day of Service for MLK Day with guest speaker Reverend Rasheed Baird, and People Get Periods: A Virtual Service Hour and Conversation on Period Poverty with US Congresswoman Grace Meng.
Stay tuned for upcoming virtual events!
After a nearly two year pause of in-person volunteering due to COVID-19, we are thrilled to welcome volunteers back at our Community Kitchen & Pantry in West Harlem and our Warehouse & Distribution Center in the Bronx!
As always, the safety of our volunteers, staff, and those we proudly serve is paramount. All volunteers must agree to our COVID-19 Waiver in order to participate in-person. All volunteers must also show proof of vaccination against COVID-19 and wear a mask that properly covers the nose and mouth at all in-person volunteer events.
Grab-and-Go Pantry Distribution
After a two-year pause, we are thrilled to be welcoming volunteers back to our Community Kitchen and Pantry in West Harlem!
Warehouse Repack
Repack shifts are available for groups of 15 volunteers on weekday mornings and afternoons. Please email for more information. For corporate groups, we recommend a sponsorship of $2,000.
Warehouse Repack
Also Check: Volunteering At Food Bank Experience
New Map The Meal Gap Data
Learn more about food insecurity rates in northeastern New York.
The Regional Food Bank is a member of Feeding America. Feeding America sets standards and acquires food donations from national companies for its 200+ member food banks located throughout the country.
The Regional Food Bank is also a member of Feeding New York State, which helps the food bank network obtain more food and funds, and fosters public awareness of the food banks mission.
New York Jets Assist Food Bank For New York City In Spirit Of Thanksgiving
NY Jets assist NYC food bank in spirit of Thanksgiving
HARLEM, Manhattan — Several players with the New York Jets lent a hand Tuesday at the Food Bank for New York City in West Harlem.
Players Quincy Williams, Thomas Hennessy, Braden Mann, Adam Pankey, Tanzel Smart, and Solomon Thomas helped distribute hot meals to the community.
“It’s a big thing for me because it’s something we did at home me and my siblings also, so it’s just giving back to the community,” Williams said.
The players formed an assembly line to take the prepared hot meals from the kitchen to a table on the street and handed out the meals one by one.
The players also helped unload 100 turkeys from a truck for the food bank to give out this week.
“New Yorkers who are in a tough spot and may not be able to buy their own turkey, they can still enjoy a turkey dinner with their families,” said Sultana Ocasio, the director of the food bank’s community kitchen in West Harlem.
Ocasio said the food bank always appreciates the help from the Jets. It’s a partnership that has existed for the past 15 years.
The Jets players also presented a $15,000 check Tuesday to Ocasio for the food bank.
Don’t Miss: St Mary’s Food Bank Phone Number