Food Resources in NYC

Written By Jesse Kahn

If you are experiencing a disruption in SNAP benefits due to the government shutdown, you are not alone, and support is available. New York City has a wide network of food pantries, community fridges, and mobile distribution programs that provide free groceries, fresh produce, and prepared meals to help meet your immediate needs. The resources listed below are organized by borough to make it easier to find locations near you. Each site is committed to serving the community with dignity, and many also offer assistance with SNAP enrollment or re‑enrollment. We encourage you to reach out, visit, and access the support you deserve — no one should go hungry while benefits are delayed.

In addition to the resources below City Harvest has an interactive map listing places that are distributing food free of charge throughout the 5 boroughs, which is also a great resource, so please take a look if you are in need.

Manhattan

  1. Food Bank For New York City – Find-Food map covers all boroughs; use to locate nearest pantry/soup kitchen. Food Bank For NYC+2Food Bank For NYC+2

  2. New York Common Pantry – 8 E 109th St, NY 10029; community-based with dignity-centred access.

  3. St. John’s Bread & Life (Though technically Brooklyn, but serves many Manhattan residents) – hot meals plus pantry & mobile market. St. John's Bread & Life

  4. Beyond Hunger Emergency Food Pantry (CAMBA) – For urgent food supplies; helpful backup if Manhattan sites are full. CAMBA, Inc.

  5. Masbia Queens Soup Kitchen – While in Queens, the take-home grocery program can serve Manhattan clients who travel .Masbia Queens

Brooklyn

  1. The Campaign Against Hunger – 2010 Fulton St, Brooklyn. Emphasis on fresh produce + grocery support. The Campaign Against Hunger+1

  2. Sisters With Purpose Food Pantry – Operates at Brooklyn Sports Club; fresh produce + household items. Sisters With Purpose, Inc.

  3. Bethany Food Pantry – SCO Family of Services – 164 Suydam St, Brooklyn; emergency grocery distribution. SCO Family of Services

  4. Reaching‑Out Community Services – 7708 New Utrecht Ave, Brooklyn; multiple social-services wrap around food pantry. CB Brooklyn+1

  5. Family Life Development Center Food Pantry – 1476 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn; Monday 8 am-6 pm distribution.Cloudinary

Queens

  1. Astoria Food Pantry – 25-82 Steinway St; community centre with food, diapers, other supports. ASTORIA FOOD PANTRY

  2. Kehilat Sephardim Food Pantry – Serving Jewish and immigrant communities in Queens; focused on dignity. Kehilat Sephardim Food Pantry

  3. YWCA Queens Mobile Food Pantry – Mobile distribution on Tuesdays 11 am-3 pm (by appointment) in Queens. YWCA Queens

  4. St. Bonaventure – St. Benedict the Moor Food Pantry – 171-17 110th Ave, Jamaica, NY 11433; 2nd & 4th Tue monthly 10-11:30 am. St. Bonaventure - St. Benedict the Moor

  5. Queens Community House – Food Access Initiatives – Operates pantries + food access programming in Flushing & public housing.Queens Community House

The Bronx

  1. Community Pantry & Fridge (South Bronx Mutual Aid) – 571 E 141st St, Bronx; community fridge/mutual aid model (24/7 access).

  2. Holy Cross Brooklyn Outreach Center – Actually Brooklyn but many Bronx residents travel; include as cross-borough option: 6022 4th Ave, Brooklyn. CB Brooklyn

  3. (Note: For additional Bronx-specific pantries, the citywide directory at NYC.gov covers many locations.) NYC Government

  4. Hour Children Food Pantry – Long Island City Queens but accessible to Bronx via transit; Mon/Tue/Thu hours noted. Cap4Kids

  5. (Another option) New York Common Pantry – East Harlem, Manhattan; many Bronx residents travel there for access to fresh & cultural foods.

Staten Island

  1. CHASI Community Food Pantry – 2134 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island NY 10302; pantry hours Tues-Sat. Sun River Health

  2. St. Clare Food Pantry – Provides monthly food packages + emergency response for families in need. Church of St. Clare

  3. Project Hospitality Food Pantry (Staten Island) – 205 Canal St, Staten Island, NY 10304; Tue & Thu 9 am-noon. Project Hospitality

  4. South Shore Community Food Pantry – 4116 Hylan Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10308; 1st Tuesday & 3rd Saturday each month. South Shore CFP

  5. Sts. Peter and Paul / Assumption Parish Pantry – 53 St. Marks Place, Staten Island, NY 10301; open every Wednesday 1-2 pm. Sts. Peter and Paul and Assumption

📌 Usage Tips

  • Call ahead to confirm hours, supplies, and eligibility.

  • We recommend you bring ID/address proof once for the first time

  • Many sites allow repeat visits monthly.

  • Community fridge options are a good lower-barrier, flexible access option.

Jesse Kahn
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