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Find Free Food In New York CityLemontree makes it easy to find the best food pantries near you. Browse our directory, or sign up for personalized assistance & helpful tools. Our team of specialists can answer any question!
  1. Street view

    SNAP/EBT

    Met Council - SNAP Assistance

    30 reviews

    Unclaimed

    10 minutes

    average wait time


    Info

    "Important update for SNAP recipients: New federal work requirements take effect June 1, 2026, and may affect adults ages 18 to 64 who don't have children under 14. If this applies to you, you may need to report work, training, or volunteer hours each month to keep your benefits. Some people may qualify for an exemption. Don't wait to find out if you're affected. Visit nyc.gov/OhSNAP or call 718-762-7669 to learn more and get help." Met Council's Benefits Helpline provides assistance with SNAP and health insurance. To apply, leave a message including your name, number, and ZIP code at 212-453-9532 for a callback within 24 hours. There is no walk-in service at a physical location. Tax services are no longer offered by this line.

    • Requirements

      • Call in advance for services
    • Offerings

      • Other social services available

    Schedule

    • Tomorrow

      9:00 am–5:00 pm

    • This Thursday

      9:00 am–5:00 pm

    • This Friday

      9:00 am–2:00 pm

    • 9:00 am–5:00 pm

      every week on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

    • 9:00 am–2:00 pm

      every week on Friday

    Map of Met Council - SNAP Assistance

    Location

    1 State Street

    New York, NY 10004

    directions

    Contact

    (212) 453-9532

    https://metcouncil.org/service/snap-food-stamps/

    Is this your resource?Claim it!
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  3. Street view

    Food pantry (groceries)

    127 reviews

    Claimed

    10 minutes

    average wait time


    Info

    first-come, first-served line. Clients may visit once per week. Volunteers are needed.

    • Requirements

      • You can visit once a week
    • Offerings

      • Free Groceries
      • Diapers/baby essentials may be available

    Schedule

    • This Saturday

      9:00 am–10:00 am

      • First come, first serve: open until food runs out
    • Sat, June 13th (next week)

      9:00 am–10:00 am

      • First come, first serve: open until food runs out
    • Sat, June 20th (in 2 weeks)

      9:00 am–10:00 am

      • First come, first serve: open until food runs out
    • 9:00 am–10:00 am

      every week on Saturday

  4. Street view

    Soup kitchen (ready-to-eat meals)

    33 reviews

    Unclaimed

    15 minutes

    average wait time


    Info

    "For a smoother experience, this is a grab-and-go meal site where trucks arrive sometimes earlier or later due to traffic. We recommend arriving 15 minutes before the scheduled time. If the truck is running late, please allow at least 15 minutes from the scheduled arrival time before inquiring."

    • Requirements

      • First come, first serve: open until food runs out
    • Offerings

      • Prepared Meals

    Schedule

    • Tomorrow

      9:00 pm–9:20 pm

    • This Wednesday

      9:00 pm–9:20 pm

    • This Thursday

      9:00 pm–9:20 pm

    • 9:00 pm–9:20 pm

      every day

  5. How do I get food?

    You can receive food by visiting the food pantry or soup kitchen when it’s open. Make sure to check each resource page to see details like address, full schedule, and requirements.

  6. Can someone deliver the food to my house?

    Delivery services are very limited and are reserved for senior citizens or those with serious medical problems. If you believe you fall into either category, let us know and we may be able to help you find options in New York City.

  7. What do I have to bring?

    Every location is different! Please review the details included on each resource to see whether you need to bring any documentation like ID or proof of address, or supplies like bags to carry the food. If you don’t see any information on the resource, you don’t have to bring anything!

  8. Street view

    Food pantry (groceries)

    86 reviews

    Unclaimed

    10 minutes

    average wait time


    Info

    Pre-order Required: Now, everyone needs to order before coming in to get know if they have enough food to give

    Order Deadline: You can order by 12:00PM on Wednesday and Friday to receive food

    Pickup on Assigned Date: It's important to come on the day we tell you. If you don't, we'll give your order to another family who needs it.

    How to Order: Call (718)-268-5057 or text 201-464-0685 with your name and phone number.

    Pickup Date: When you call, we'll tell you when you can come pick up your order.

    • Requirements

      • You can visit once a month
      • ID required
      • Call in advance for services
      • Registration required
    • Offerings

      • Free Groceries

    Schedule

    • Tomorrow

      10:00 am–3:30 pm

    • This Thursday

      10:00 am–3:30 pm

    • Next Monday

      10:00 am–3:30 pm

    • 10:00 am–3:30 pm

      every week on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

  9. Street view

    SNAP/EBT

    24 reviews

    Unclaimed

    10 minutes

    average wait time


    Info

    "Important update for SNAP recipients: New federal work requirements may affect adults ages 18 to 64 who don't have children under 14. If this applies to you, you may need to report work, training, or volunteer hours each month to keep your benefits. Some people may qualify for an exemption. Timelines vary by state, so don't wait to find out if you're affected. For more information, visit the USDA SNAP Work Requirements page, or contact your local SNAP office or call 211."

    • They distribute food by lottery system you need to register for lottery in first 14 days of month to participate if you will not win the lottery your name will be added in next lottery automatically.

    • NMIC’s benefits team can help you with more than 40 different public benefits, including SNAP, housing issues, and more. Open hours vary depending on benefits requested, so check website for details: https://www.nmic.org/covid-19-services/.

    • Call our Benefits Hotline (929) 415 – 8745 on Mondays from 10 AM – 2 PM, or email Dale Reyes at dalereyes@nmic.org with any questions.

    • Mondays is the day to register for the pantry lottery

    Schedule

    • Tomorrow

      9:00 am–4:00 pm

    • This Thursday

      9:00 am–4:00 pm

    • Next Monday

      10:00 am–2:00 pm

    • 10:00 am–2:00 pm

      every week on Monday

    • 9:00 am–4:00 pm

      every week on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

  10. Street view

    SNAP/EBT

    27 reviews

    Unclaimed

    10 minutes

    average wait time


    Info

    "Important update for SNAP recipients: New federal work requirements take effect June 1, 2026, and may affect adults ages 18 to 64 who don't have children under 14. If this applies to you, you may need to report work, training, or volunteer hours each month to keep your benefits. Some people may qualify for an exemption. Don't wait to find out if you're affected. Visit nyc.gov/OhSNAP or call 718-762-7669 to learn more and get help."

    Call to get started with SNAP enrollment over the phone for the Age Blind and Disabled Program. You may have to leave a voicemail, but someone will call you back within 48 hours. An automated system will first ask you to indicate your borough of residence. For assistance, call (800) 544-8369 or text your question to that number.

    Schedule

    • Tomorrow

      8:30 am–4:00 pm

    • This Thursday

      8:30 am–4:00 pm

    • This Friday

      8:30 am–4:00 pm

    • 8:30 am–4:00 pm

      every week on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

  11. Street view

    Food pantry (groceries)

    69 reviews

    Unclaimed

    30 minutes

    average wait time


    Info

    Our food pantry is open every TUESDAY downstairs in the Father Smith Center. Tickets are required and are given out at 9:00 AM. We suggest you come early to join the queue, as lines often form well in advance. Clients need to bring ID. For more information, call the parish office at (718) 295-6800.

    • Requirements

      • ID required
      • Must bring own bags/cart
    • Offerings

      • Free Groceries
      • Fresh produce

    Schedule

    • Next Tuesday

      9:00 am–11:00 am

    • Tue, June 16th (in 2 weeks)

      9:00 am–11:00 am

    • Tue, June 23rd (in 3 weeks)

      9:00 am–11:00 am

    • 9:00 am–11:00 am

      every week on Tuesday

  12. Street view

    Soup kitchen (ready-to-eat meals), Food pantry (groceries)

    53 reviews

    Unclaimed

    30 minutes

    average wait time


    Info

    Fridays: Provides tickets as early as 6:30 AM and the distribution starts at 11:30 AM. Serves 250 families. Saturdays: Grab and Go meals provided to 300 guest. Starts at 11:30 until food supplies last.

    • Requirements

      • First come, first serve: open until food runs out
    • Offerings

      • Prepared Meals

    Schedule

    • This Friday

      Food pantry (groceries): 8:30 am

    • This Saturday

      Soup kitchen (ready-to-eat meals): 9:00 am

    • Fri, June 12th (next week)

      Food pantry (groceries): 8:30 am

    • Soup kitchen (ready-to-eat meals): 9:00 am

      every week on Saturday

    • Food pantry (groceries): 8:30 am

      every week on Friday

  13. Street view

    Food pantry (groceries)

    102 reviews

    Unclaimed

    37 minutes

    average wait time


    Info

    This volunteer-run, faith-based community pantry at Lost Sheep Christian Center serves the Soundview/Parkchester area. It provides free groceries to individuals and families and may also distribute clothing and personal care items. The pantry is open to all, and a photo ID is requested at intake.

    • Requirements

      • ID required
    • Offerings

      • Free Groceries
      • Clothing may be available

    Schedule

    • This Saturday

      1:30 pm–4:30 pm

    • Sat, June 13th (next week)

      CLOSED

    • Sat, June 20th (in 2 weeks)

      1:30 pm–4:30 pm

    • 1:30 pm–4:30 pm

      every week on Saturday

  14. Street view

    Food pantry (groceries)

    47 reviews

    Unclaimed

    30 minutes

    average wait time


    Info

    This church-hosted Food Bank For NYC pantry provides free groceries to the community. It is open monthly on the third Saturday.

    • Requirements

      • ID required
    • Offerings

      • Free Groceries

    Schedule

    • Sat, June 20th (in 2 weeks)

      8:30 am–11:30 am

    • Sat, July 18th (next month)

      8:30 am–11:30 am

    • Sat, August 15th (in 2 months)

      8:30 am–11:30 am

    • 8:30 am–11:30 am

      every month on the 3rd Saturday

  15. Do I need an appointment?

    Every location is different! Some places in New York City accept appointments, some require it, and others allow walk-ins. Please review all details on the resource page to understand how you should prepare for your visit.

  16. What kind of food do they have?

    Food pantries offer grocery-style items such as canned food, fresh produce, and dry goods like pasta or rice that you can cook yourself. Soup kitchens offer ready-to-eat items like hot meals or sandwiches. All of these locations may have different options on different days, so it is hard to tell what each one of them will offer any given day.

  17. Do they have vegetables?

    Pantries may have different options at different times, so it is hard to tell what each one of them will offer any given day. Most pantries in New York City do give out some form of vegetables, but they may be canned items.

  18. Do they have meat?

    Pantries may have different options on different days, so it’s hard to tell what each one of them will offer any given day.

  19. Any pantries open today?

    You can browse these pages for resources in New York City to see if any are open today. If you’ve signed up for personalized assistance through our text message helpline, please take a look at the links we’ve sent you! If none of the resources we’ve sent are open today, let us know and we can search for additional options in New York City.

  20. Where are you located?

    Because our work is mostly virtual, the Lemontree team works remotely, and we don’t have an office in New York City for in-person visits. You can always reach us by texting 90847 or on WhatsApp between 10am-6pm, every day of the week.

  21. Can I get a reminder before my visit?

    Yes! Tap the bell icon on any resource page to set a reminder via text or WhatsApp before it opens, so you don’t forget your visit.

  22. Can I build a weekly food schedule?

    Yes — you can use Lemontree to build a calendar of upcoming pantry visits in New York City for the week, so you always know where to go and when. It’s a great way to plan ahead and make sure you have food throughout the week.

  23. How do I get help from a real person?

    You can text our helpline at 90847 or reach us on WhatsApp between 10am–6pm, every day of the week. A real person will help you find food in New York City, answer questions, and connect you with the right resources.