Food & Basic Needs
Neighbors Together
Brooklyn
Soup kitchen and community advocacy center: free to-go lunch Mon-Fri 12-2 and dinner 4-6 on select days, plus housing, benefits, job training and healthcare support.
Food & Basic Needs in Brooklyn
Food help includes food pantries, soup kitchens, free community meals and help signing up for SNAP. Most pantries don't ask for ID or proof of income, though some only serve people who live nearby.
Tip: check hours or call ahead before you go. Many pantries are open only on certain days, and some run out early.
Brooklyn is large, so check the address and travel time before you go, and ask whether the program takes walk-ins.
8 services based in Brooklyn, plus 11 citywide
Based in Brooklyn
Food & Basic Needs
St. John's Bread and Life
Brooklyn
Grab-and-go breakfast/lunch bags Mon-Thu 9-12:30, digital-choice food pantry Mon-Thu 8-2 (registration required), mobile soup kitchen in Brooklyn and Queens, benefits help, medical clinic and mail service.
Housing & Shelter
CAMBA - The Gathering Place
Brooklyn
Drop-in center for single adults with three meals a day, shower and laundry facilities, clothing, mail and phone services.
Housing & Shelter
Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens
Brooklyn · Queens
Food pantries, housing, mental health and senior services; serves all faiths.
Food & Basic Needs
Masbia Soup Kitchen Network
Brooklyn
Free kosher meals and food pantry, open to everyone.
Food & Basic Needs
The Campaign Against Hunger
Brooklyn
Food pantry, urban farms and workforce programs in Brooklyn.
Citywide services
These serve people from every borough, often by phone, online or at more than one office.
Food & Basic Needs
Food Help NYC
Citywide
Online directory of free food locations including pantries and soup kitchens by diet.
Benefits & Financial Help
NYC HRA - SNAP (Food Stamps)
Citywide
Monthly food benefits on a debit card for people with limited income.
Food & Basic Needs
GrowNYC
Citywide
Runs Greenmarket farmers markets, farmstands and Fresh Food Box sites across all five boroughs; locations accept EBT.
Housing & Shelter
Thrive for Life Prison Project
Citywide
A faith-based organization offering housing, continuity-of-care support, and education for formerly incarcerated individuals at Abraham House and Ignacio House. Residents can access scholarships to partnering colleges and job-readiness and career-development support, plus help finding permanent affordable housing; a food pantry operates Saturdays at its Bronx location (340 Willis Avenue).
Food & Basic Needs
City Harvest - Mobile Markets
Citywide
Free fresh produce distributions in neighborhoods across NYC.
Food & Basic Needs
Hunger Free America - National Hunger Hotline
Citywide
Hotline that finds nearby food help and assists with SNAP and WIC.
Food & Basic Needs
NY WIC Program
Citywide
Healthy food, formula and nutrition help for pregnant people, new parents and kids under 5.
Benefits & Financial Help
NYC Aging (Department for the Aging)
Citywide
Older adult centers, meals, caregiver help and case management.
Healthcare
NYC Health Climate and Health
Citywide
As a result of climate change, extreme weather events such as heat waves, heavy rainfall, and storms are occurring more frequently and becoming more dangerous—increasing the risk of illness, injury, or death.
Food & Basic Needs
NYC WIC Program
Citywide
Healthy food, formula and nutrition help for pregnant people, new parents and children under 5.
Housing & Shelter
The Salvation Army Greater New York
Citywide
Shelters, food programs, and adult rehabilitation (residential work therapy) centers.