Through a supermarket-style food pantry, West Side Campaign Against Hunger's mission alleviates hunger and creates a culture that promotes self-reliance and works for change.
West Side Campaign Against Hunger changes our perception of hungry people by working in partnership with them, providing food with dignity, and empowering customers to find solutions.
West Side Campaign Against Hunger welcomes low-income residents from all 5 boroughs of New York City, regardless of household size or immigration status. Learn more about what you will need to bring, to get started.
Customers are given a food card based on the number of family members. The card specifies the amount of cereals, fruits, vegetables, protein and dairy, but gives our customers the choice to pick the kind they prefer. The shopping card is based on the USDA’s MyPlate, ensuring our customers received balanced, nutritious meals.
Customers can come once a month and get nutritious food for the family for three days. We understand that everyone has different tastes and needs, so we offer a healthy variety of food. There are always fresh fruit and vegetable choices.
For prompt service, arrive at least ½ hour before closing time!
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (212) 362-3662ext to book your appointment.
Address :
263 W 86th St,
New York, NY 10024.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon: 08:00 AM - 06:30 PM EST
- Tues: Closed
- Wed: 08:00 AM - 03:00 PM EST
- Thurs: 08:00 AM - 03:00 PM EST
- Fri: 08:00 AM - 03:00 PM EST
- Sat: Closed
- Sun: Closed
Help Residents of Counties:
- Bronx
- Kings
- New York
- Queens
- Richmond
Appointments
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7.
For the full set of services, you can call (212) 362-3662ext to book your appointment. Staff can also answer any questions you may have.
Food Pantry in Near By City
- Albertson
- Amityville
- Baldwin
- Bayville
- Bellmore
- Bethpage
- Blauvelt
- Briarcliff Manor
- Bronx
- Bronxville
- Brooklyn
- Cedarhurst
- Centerport
- Cold Spring Harbor
- Congers
- Copiague
- Dobbs Ferry
- East Meadow
- East Rockaway
- Elmont
- Elmsford
- Farmingdale
- Floral Park
- Franklin Square
- Freeport
- Garden City
- Glen Cove
- Great Neck
- Greenlawn
- Harrison
- Hartsdale
- Haverstraw
- Hempstead
- Hewlett
- Hicksville
- Huntington Station
- Inwood
- Irvington
- Jericho
- Larchmont
- Lawrence
- Levittown
- Lindenhurst
- Long Beach
- Lynbrook
- Malverne
- Mamaroneck
- Manhasset
- Massapequa
- Massapequa Park
- Melville
- Merrick
- Mineola
- Monsey
- Mount Kisco
- Mount Vernon
- Nanuet
- New City
- New Hyde Park
- New Rochelle
- New York
- Nyack
- Oceanside
- Old Bethpage
- Ossining
- Pearl River
- Pelham
- Plainview
- Pleasantville
- Port Chester
- Port Washington
- Rockville Centre
- Roosevelt
- Roslyn Heights
- Rye
- Scarsdale
- Sea Cliff
- Seaford
- Spring Valley
- Staten Island
- Suffern
- Syosset
- Tappan
- Tarrytown
- Thiells
- Tuckahoe
- Uniondale
- Valley Cottage
- Valley Stream
- Wantagh
- West Babylon
- West Haverstraw
- West Hempstead
- Westbury
- White Plains
- Williston Park
- Woodbury
- Woodmere
- Wyandanch
- Yonkers
Tips for Visiting a Food Pantry
Show up early.
This is very important. This means you will be first in line and have a chance to get the items that are sought after and in limited quantities such as fresh produce, dairy and frozen food.
You don't usually need to show up hours ahead of time but coming at least an hour before is usually a good idea.
Remember all documentation.
Many food pantries require documentation to prove who you are, and in some cases, where you live.
This is to make sure people are not coming more than they are allowed or using fake names to do so. Call ahead of time to find out what documentation is needed.
It's just your photo ID and a piece of mail that verifies your address.
Use several food banks.
Using more than one food bank (when available) is smart because you may be able to get something at one that you may not get at another.
For instance, one may have a deal with a local gardener that gives them their extras. This may mean this food bank has more produce.
Eligible for other programs?
Ask your Department of Social Services office if you are eligible for other assistance programs to supplement your household’s food supply.
They can easily tell you if you can apply for WIC (Women and Infant Children), USDA Commodities or SNAP(Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits.
Ask about extras.
If you have special needs for infants or special diets, the pantries may be able to assist you.
Many times, they can help with diapers, baby formula, baby food, personal hygiene products, and even special diet items like gluten free or sugar free foods.
Go on different days of the week.
Depending on the food pantry, they may be open only one or two days a week or they may be open all seven days. When you have a choice, going midweek is often best as it is less crowded.
Be polite to workers.
Nearly everyone at a food bank is a volunteer. Be polite to the workers there as they often deal with highly emotional situations.
FAQ(Frequently Asked Questions)
1. What is the difference between a food bank and a food pantry?
Independent community food pantries are self-governing and usually distribute food to their clients on a once-a-month basis. A food bank is the storehouse for millions of pounds of food and other products that go out to the community. A food pantry functions as the arms that reach out to that community directly.
2. What kind of food is at a food pantry?
Specifically, food banks often need items like:
- Peanut butter
- Canned soup
- Canned fruit
- Canned vegetables
- Pasta
- Canned beans
- Canned stew
- Canned fish
3. Who can go to food pantry?
At the majority of food pantries, eligibility is based on self-attested need. You do not need to have a referral, and income is not a factor to receive food.
4. What is the difference between a food pantry and a soup kitchen?
A food pantry provides three-day food packages to families that have a place to live, but not enough food. These packages are designed to provide nutritionally balanced meals. Soup kitchens serve individuals in need of a hot meal, the only meal of the day for many of them.
5. How does a food pantry work?
Food Banks acquire large donations of edible but unmarketable food from the food industry and distribute it to organizations that feed hungry people. Then they provide this food to family in a need.