By Rose Wirekoh | Institutional Giving Associate
New York Common Pantry continues to experience unprecedented demand as we work to meet the growing needs of our community. Access to nutritious food is foundational, but for many of our neighbors, it is only the first step. Across all of our programs, we pair food access with wraparound services, including case management, nutrition education, and referrals to critical benefits, ensuring that individuals and families can move toward long-term stability.
Over the past year, rising food costs, inflation, and significant reductions in government funding have placed additional strain on the emergency food network. Recent federal and city-level cuts have only intensified the need, forcing organizations like ours to stretch resources further while serving more people than ever before. Despite these challenges, New York Common Pantry has remained steadfast in its commitment to ensuring that no New Yorker goes hungry.
In FY25, New York Common Pantry provided over 11.7 million meals and served more than 764,625 visitors across Manhattan, the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, and Westchester. Our Choice Pantry locations in East Harlem and the Bronx continue to see record-breaking attendance, with demand steadily increasing week over week. During the first two days of service in January alone, our Manhattan pantry served more than 1,200 households, a clear reflection of the growing need in our city.
Our Mobile Pantry program has also continued to expand, now operating at more than 70 community-based partner sites, with a waitlist of additional locations eager to bring food access to their neighborhoods. At the same time, our Hot Meal program remains a vital community hub, providing not only nutritious meals but also a sense of connection and dignity for individuals experiencing food insecurity. Volunteers play a critical role in this work, supporting nearly 60% of our operations and helping us meet the scale of need across all programs.
This impact is made possible through strong community partnerships that allow us to reach deeper into neighborhoods with high rates of food insecurity and limited access to resources. By working alongside trusted community-based organizations and health providers, we are able to meet people where they are, expand our reach, and deliver not only food but critical support services. These partnerships are essential to scaling our work and ensuring that we can serve thousands of individuals and families each month with dignity, consistency, and care.
For many participants, New York Common Pantry provides not only food, but knowledge, stability, and a pathway to healthier living. Miriam Hernandez, a Bronx resident and longtime participant, first connected with NYCP in 2015 after attending a nutrition education workshop. At the time, she was unemployed and caring for her three children, and the Pantry became a critical support system, helping her save on groceries and navigate periods of financial hardship.
Through NYCP’s Live Healthy! program, Miriam gained practical knowledge that transformed how her family eats. She learned how to prepare balanced meals, incorporate pantry staples such as whole grains and canned goods, and introduce more variety into her cooking. Programs like Farm Share helped reduce the cost of fresh foods while expanding her access to nutritious ingredients. As a result, her family now eats healthier meals, and her youngest child has become more open to trying new foods. Miriam also values the culturally responsive approach of the program, which introduces recipes and foods from diverse backgrounds.
NYCP was the first place Miriam learned about available food resources, opening the door to a broader network of support. Beyond food, the Pantry has provided moments of joy and connection for her family, from holiday celebrations to community events that bring dignity and warmth during challenging times.
During our second quarter, New York Common Pantry served approximately 6,496,046 meals to 412,018 visitors. Through support raised on the GlobalGiving platform, we have been able to provide thousands of additional meals to individuals and families facing food insecurity.
As we look ahead, we anticipate continued increases in demand as economic pressures persist and public funding remains uncertain. Your support allows us to respond in real time, scale our programs, and ensure that every person who walks through our doors is met with nourishment, compassion, and comprehensive support.
During this time of heightened need, we are deeply grateful for the GlobalGiving community. Your generosity makes it possible for us to continue this critical work and stand alongside our neighbors when they need it most.
Links:
By Meaghan Hamilton | Institutional Giving Manager
By Brian Hagan | Senior Grant Writer
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