Free Dog And Cat Food Coming To NYC: Here's Where

NEW YORK CITY— Six Manhattan food pantries will begin distributing free dog and cat food on Oct. 19, funded by a half a million city investment.

The pantries will operate at pantries in Chelsea, East Harlem, Midtown, the East Village and the Lower East Side.

Residents can collect pet food at the same locations where they receive groceries for themselves.

The initiative spans across the five boroughs, including at 16 other food pantries.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration also tripled baseline funding for the city’s Community Food Connection program, which supports more than 700 food pantries.

The City allocated $78 million for food distribution in fiscal year 2027.

The program aims to help residents facing a difficult choice as food, housing and other expenses strain household budgets: how to feed their pets without sacrificing their own necessities.

“No New Yorker should have to choose between feeding themselves and feeding their pets,” Mamdani said.

The City is also investing in spay and neuter services, which can help residents manage pet care costs and reduce the number of unwanted animals entering shelters.

Where Can Manhattan Residents Get Free Pet Food?

The following six pantries will offer free dog and cat food beginning Oct. 19:

Chelsea:

• Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen Pantry, 296 Ninth Ave., between West 27th and West 28th streets.

East Harlem:

• New York Common Pantry, 8 East 109th St., between Fifth and Madison avenues.

Hell’s Kitchen:

• St. Clemens Food Pantry, 423 West 46th St., between Ninth and Tenth avenues.

East Village:

• The Father’s Heart Ministries, 543-545 East 11th St., between Avenue A and Avenue B.
• The Lower Eastside Girls Club, 402 East Eighth St., between Avenue C and Avenue D.
• Trinity’s Services and Food for the Homeless, 602 East Ninth St., between Avenue B and Avenue C.

Residents should confirm distribution hours and food availability directly with their chosen pantry before visiting.