Our hunger relief program is a volunteer-run food pantry that
began in 1982. The pantry is located at 508 West 159th Street and operates five
days a week, Wednesday from 9:30 to 11:30, Tuesday 6:00PM to 8:00PM, Friday 12:30
PM to 2:30PM, Saturday from 9PM to 2:00Am and Sunday from 2PM to 7PM. We receive
donations from City Harvest and Food Bank of New York. The Food Pantry is the
only food program in the city that operates on both Saturday and Sunday. Our clients
are senior citizens and adults between the ages of 18 and 45. Within the past
year clients receiving assistance has grown drastically particularly amongst the
elderly. In February of 2005, we distributed 1,319 food packages to the elderly,
and in February of 2006 we distributed 2,010 food packages. Since we began our
contract with Food Bank of New York (FBNY), we have seen an increase of over 50%
in the number of bags distributed to senior citizens with hunger needs.
Though most of the individuals served are from our community, the food pantry serves individuals from across the city that come to us in need of food. Packages are packed and distributed according to family size.