New York Common Pantry (formerly Yorkville Common Pantry) is a fast growing food pantry based in East Harlem with a pantry and a Warehouse in the Bronx and a Mobile Program that delivers to different sites around all 5 boroughs to then be redistributed to other communities. Our pantries offer sources of healthy and delicious food including fresh produce, dairy, grains and proteins for the making of nutritional meal options. Between these three programs we have served over 5 million meals to nearly 30 thousand households of which 41% was produce. One of our largest goals at the organization is to provide people with healthy options. At our Manhattan (East Harlem) location we offer an option of choice allowing our pantry members to have a say in what they are getting. This model allows people to order the exact items they won't by looking through our inventory of grains, produce and shelf stable goods.
Additionally, we have a soup kitchen that is operational Monday through Friday providing anyone who comes to our Harlem location with a hot meal. On weekends when we don't have a chef on site we still provide brown bag lunches. In the last year we have served 4.7 million meals through our soup kitchen program. This program is almost entirely donation based and is through outsourcing to local organizations to reduce food waste throughout New York City.
Beyond food services, our East Harlem location also provides an array of other services including benefits assistance, case workers, showers, laundry and haircuts to name a few. When possible we do also provide hygiene kits that include the essentials such as feminine care products, tooth brushes and tooth paste, razors, shampoo and conditioner and lotion. The items are always needed and greatly appreciated!
Over the past several months we have seen a huge rise in numbers due to an increase of displaced people in the surrounding areas
Due to our pantry growing substantially in recent years along side the rapid increase in cost of food we are extremely appreciative of all donations we are able to receive
We thank you for your support!
You do not have to call before coming to drop off a donation so long as it is during operating hours
We are here:
Monday through Friday: 9am-4pm
Saturday: 10am-3pm
Sunday: 2:30-4pm
And someone will be ready to assist you
We do also offer a free food rescue service where we will come to you and pick up these donations so long as you are in a 7 mile radius of our Manhattan location
Please contact us if this is something you have interest in doing
ProducePedia
ProducePedia is a free resource that covers the types of fresh produce that can be delivered to food pantries. Each entry includes information on color, taste, and possible uses. People unfamiliar with the vegetable or fruit will learn how to use it, and those who are familiar with it still might learn a fun fact or two!
The Cooperative Extension sites have a wealth of information for any backyard gardener. Once you go to the site (each one if very different from the others) look for a link for “homes and gardens”, “landscape”, “consumer horticulture”, etc. to find information on improving your backyard garden. Neighboring state sites may offer information your own state’s site lacks.
