Food Banks and Pantries in New York, NY

How to Get Free Food in New York

The Food Bank for New York City serves all five boroughs through nearly 800 partner pantries, soup kitchens, and community programs. Anyone in need can get free groceries or a hot meal at a partner site with no income requirement at most locations. Call 211 or use the food bank website find-food map to locate the nearest distribution site.

Regional Food Bank: Food Bank for New York City

The primary Feeding America member food bank serving the New York, NY area. It distributes food to an estimated 800 partner pantries, soup kitchens, and meal programs across all five boroughs of New York City.

Notable Pantries and Meal Sites in New York

This is a sample of well-known sites. For a full, current list of all pantries near you, use 211 or the food bank website above.

Soup Kitchens and Community Meals

New York City has one of the densest networks of soup kitchens and community meal programs in the country, anchored by the Food Bank for New York City and long-running missions such as Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen, the New York City Rescue Mission, and the Bowery Mission. Hundreds of churches, synagogues, and community centers serve free hot meals each day across all five boroughs. Most soup kitchens welcome anyone who shows up with no ID or income proof required, and many also hand out groceries and offer SNAP enrollment help on site.

Mobile Pantry Program

The Food Bank for New York City operates a fleet of mobile pantry units that bring free groceries directly to underserved neighborhoods, senior housing complexes, and schools across the five boroughs. Mobile sites are scheduled weekly and typically distribute fresh produce, shelf-stable goods, and protein. The program prioritizes neighborhoods with few brick-and-mortar pantries and areas far from subway lines. Schedules are posted on the food bank website and updated monthly.

SNAP / Food Stamp Outreach

The Food Bank for New York City runs one of the largest SNAP outreach programs in the nation, with staff stationed at food pantries, soup kitchens, libraries, and community centers to help New Yorkers complete applications on the spot. They also operate a SNAP hotline and offer pre-screening so people know their likely benefit amount before applying. Assistance is free, available in multiple languages, and open to anyone regardless of immigration status for the application help itself.

How to Find a Pantry Near You in New York

Call 211 or 311 in New York City, visit the Food Bank for New York City website at foodbanknyc.org and use the Find Food map to search by ZIP code, or text the word FOOD to the food bank locator service. The Feeding America locator at feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank also works. Most pantries do not require an appointment, but calling ahead for hours is recommended since schedules change weekly.

More Food & Benefits Guides

• SNAP / Food Stamps guide (general)
• WIC (Women, Infants & Children)
• EBT card guide -- how it works
• Free meals & community kitchens
• P-EBT & Summer EBT (SUN Bucks)

Frequently Asked Questions