The U.S. government will cut off Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits on Nov. 1 for millions of Americans, the first time in history that a federal administration stopped food assistance during a government shutdown.
Governor Kathy Hochul on Thursday declared a state of emergency as the Trump administration readies to cut off food aid to about 3 million New Yorkers, of which about 1.8 million are New York City residents. The state so far has allocated about $106 million in emergency funds for various food aid programs to keep programs and food banks stocked.
The city also allocated an extra $15 million in emergency funding for food assistance on Thursday.
“As a working-class mayor who grew up in a family living on the edge of homelessness and that relied on government assistance, I will always fight for our most vulnerable residents,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
In New York City, City Harvest and the Food Bank for New York City are two major food aid organizations that distribute food to their network of pantries and soup kitchens. Both organizations are running food and donation drives, as the cut in SNAP benefits threaten to worsen food insecurity across the city at a time when food pantry visits are the highest on record, up 88% on average each month compared to 2019, according to City Harvest.
“Too many New Yorkers are being pushed past their budgets," said Jenna Harris, associate director of Donor Relations and Supply Chain at City Harvest. "With 50% of working-age households in New York City struggling to afford everyday essentials like food, rent and utilities, City Harvest is increasing our efforts to help our neighbors access high-quality, nutritious food."
There are many food pantries in Brooklyn, some run by large nonprofit organizations, and some that are run by smaller, local community groups, including many religious organizations.
To find a food pantry near you, click here for a state-wide map; click here for the city's Food Help map; click here for a Food Bank for New York City pantry map; and here for a City Harvest pantry map.
For a partial list of Brooklyn pantries, click here. Some pantries require registration via the Plentiful app.
Click here for the Neighborhood Food Resource Guide provided by the New York City Food Policy Center at Hunter College, CUNY, which breaks down available services and pantries by borough and neighborhood.
It is best practice to contact each food pantry to see whether they prefer food or money donations.
Here's how to donate money and food that impacts Brooklyn residents directly:
City Harvest and the New York Daily News Food Drive
City Harvest and the New York Daily News are currently running their annual Daily News Food Drive, running through January 16, 2026. The goal is to collect 700,000 pounds of food for New Yorkers in need.
The most-needed items for the drive include canned fruit, canned vegetables, canned proteins (tuna or beans), peanut butter (plastic jars), macaroni and cheese (packaged), hot and cold cereal (packaged family-sized), soups and juice packs.
Non-perishable food donations can be dropped off at Apple Bank locations within the five boroughs, as well as FDNY firehouses, and NYPD precincts.
Individuals can also participate in the drive virtually by running an online fresh food drive through partner #GiveHealthy. This allows participants to purchase fresh and frozen produce, as well as non-perishable items, to be delivered directly to the City Harvest warehouse.
Those who are interested in donating funds can also make direct donations to the Daily News Virtual Food Drive. Every $1.29 helps City Harvest feed a New York City family in need.
To donate funds to City Harvest, click here.
Food Bank for New York City
Charlamagne Tha God, Food Bank For NYC’s ambassador, has donated 25,000 meals for New Yorkers in need, and he’s challenging others to join him by matching every donation made, up to an additional 25,000 meals.
“For many families, Thanksgiving may be off the table,” said Charlamagne Tha God. “We’re talking about working families, children, and seniors who depend on SNAP just to get by, and now they’re facing the possibility of having nothing. I’m matching donations to remind people that New Yorkers take care of our own.”
Campaign Against Hunger
This Brooklyn nonprofit runs two large food distribution warehouses, which helped provide more than 17 million meals or meal equivalents during the 2023-2024 fiscal year. Click here to donate funds.
Citymeals on Wheels
About 60% of the older people Citymeals on Wheels serve already experience food insecurity. More than half of the meal recipients live on less than $15,000 a year.
"Any cut to SNAP benefits will have devastating effects, including additional illness and death, for thousands of Citymeals recipients and other older New Yorkers,” said Citymeals Chief Executive Officer Beth Shapiro. “Our meal recipients are on fixed incomes with their expenses – including food prices – rapidly rising. They are choosing between medicine, heat and groceries."
To donate to Citymeals on Wheels click here. To see if you're eligible to receive meals, click here.
JASA
Each year, nonprofit JASA provides over 1 million meals for older New Yorkers, served in group settings at older adult centers or delivered to the homes of homebound seniors through its home-delivered meals programs.
Call (212)-273-5272 or click here to see if you're eligible to receive meals. Click here to donate funds.
RiseBoro Community Partnerships
This Bushwick nonprofit, in operation for 50 years, runs a food pantry at 518 Bushwick Ave. that provides community members a bag of fresh produce that is meant to feed a family of four for a week. ID is required as well as proof of address. For pantry hours or questions, call (347) 493-2837. To donate, click here.
CHiPS (Community Help in Park Slope)
The Park Slope-based nonprofit has been serving over 500 hot meals daily, and over 600 food bags to those in need on a weekly basis. Donate here.
National hunger organizations include: Feeding America and Hunger Free America.
