New York City Food Assistance

In a city as wealthy as New York, hunger is a daily concern for an astonishing number of people. More than one million New Yorkers require food assistance annually, and one in four New York City children live below the poverty line. New York has more than 1000 food banks, yet they continually struggle with cutbacks in governmental and charitable support.

City Harvest: Founded in 1981, City Harvest is the world's first food-rescue organization. Committed to feeding hungry people in NYC using innovative, practical, and cost-effective methods, they rescue food that would otherwise be wasted from restaurants, grocers, corporate cafeterias, manufacturers, and farms and deliver it to those who serve the hungry. Volunteer opportunities vary in nature and time commitment. Possible tasks include picking up food donations from the city's vendors and markets or providing administrative support. (☎917-351-8700 www.cityharvest.org)
Food Bank For New York City: Supplies over 50 million pounds of food to more than 1,000 food assistance programs annually. Volunteer opportunities include assisting at one of its 1000 community food programs; volunteers might serve hot meals at the Community Kitchen in Harlem or assist at fundraising events. (☎212-566-7855 www.foodbanknyc.org)
God's Love We Deliver: Prepares and delivers fresh, nutritious meals to those living with AIDS, cancer, and other serious illnesses, who cannot shop and cook for themselves. Several volunteer opportunities available, as the organization takes on 1,400 volunteers monthly. (☎212-294-8100 www.godslovewedeliver.org)
Yorkville Common Pantry (ycp): Weekly on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, Yorkville Common Pantry delivers food to 1600-1800 families. In addition to food distribution, services include nutrition education, hygiene services, and homeless support. YCP's programs focus on East Harlem and other underserved New York City communities. Volunteer opportunities include preparing and serving meals, in addition to several off-site options.(☎917-720-9700 www.ycp.org)