New Yorkers who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, could see their benefits cut off starting Saturday.
The withholding of federal funds that support the program for 42 million Americans, including about 1.8 million New York City residents, during the ongoing government shutdown is now the subject of a federal lawsuit. A ruling is expected by Friday, Oct. 31.
Food banks and pantries across the city, already strained by earlier federal funding cuts this year, are bracing for a surge in demand if the pause in food aid for low-income residents takes effect as planned on Nov. 1.
The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance said it will notify SNAP households by Saturday about the status of their November benefits.
Year-round, soup kitchens and food pantries help feed New Yorkers in need, and there are many ways to find them across the city.
The city offers an interactive map of food resources, including kosher, halal, mobile, and HIV-specific options, at finder.nyc.gov/foodhelp.
The Food Bank for New York City lists hunger relief sites at foodbanknyc.org/get-help, while Hunger Free America provides neighborhood-by-neighborhood guides in English, Spanish, Russian, French, Chinese, and Polish at hungerfreeamerica.org/en-us/neighborhood–guides–to–food–assistance.
City Harvest also offers a searchable map of soup kitchens, food pantries, mobile markets, and distribution partners at cityharvest.org/food-map.
New Yorkers can also call 311 for help locating the nearest food pantry or meal program.
Here are some of the food banks and pantries across Manhattan that are keeping New Yorkers fed. Operating days and requirements vary, so it’s best to contact each location directly before visiting.
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Jewish Community Council of Washington Heights-Inwood: 121 Bennett Ave, Suite 11A
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Faith Mission Christian Fellowship – 160 W 129th St
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First Corinthian Baptist Church – 1912 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd
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Emma L. Bowen Community Service Center – 1727 Amsterdam Avenue
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Convent Avenue Baptist Church – 420 W 145th St
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Little Sisters of the Assumption Family Health Service (LSA) – 333 E 115th St
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Liberation Healing Pentecostal Church – 214 E 111th St
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Iris House – 2271 2nd Ave
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Avenue Church NYC – 1745 1st Ave
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St. Peter’s Lutheran Church – 619 Lexington Ave (at E 54th St)
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Central Synagogue Breakfast Program – 652 Lexington Ave
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Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen & Food Pantry – 296 9th Ave
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Franciscan Community Center – 214 W 97th St
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Bowery Mission – 227 Bowery
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Cabrini Immigrant Services – 630 Isham St
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University Community Services – Meatloaf Kitchen – 337 E 8th St
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Metropolitan New York Coordinating Council on Jewish Poverty – 77 Water St.
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Catholic Charities Community Services, Archdiocese of New York – 1011 First Avenue, 6th Floor
