Washington Heights Food Pantries Still Open, Need Volunteers

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, NY — The NYC Food Policy Center at Hunter College has compiled a list of food resources for Washington Heights and Inwood during the coronavirus pandemic, including a list of food pantries and soup kitchens that are still open.

At least one of the food pantries, the Community League of the Heights pantry on West 159th Street, is in need of volunteers, according to the League.

The pantry needs help with organizing lines of food recipients, ensuring social distancing, placing packages on stoops for pick-up, packing bags of food, stocking shelves and unloading trucks, the organization said in their newsletter.

Volunteers will be provided with masks and safety and social distancing measures will be strictly enforced, the League said. Those interested in volunteering should email pantry@cloth159.org.

There are six other food pantries and soup kitchens in addition to the League's that are open during the pandemic, though residents are asked to call the stores before visiting to ensure their hours haven't changed because of the coronavirus.

The Hunter College guide also includes information about meals for children, meals for seniors, retail food stores and their delivery/benefits policies, local food pantries and soup kitchens, resources for homeless people, resources for immigrant populations and resources for people with disabilities. Check out the full guide here.

Here is a list of the food pantries and soup kitchens:

• Catholic Charities Archiodese: 4111 Broadway
  • (212) 795-6860
• Centro Evangelistico MMM Food Pantry Program: 148 Post Ave
  • (646) 545-7696
• Jewish Community Council: 121 Bennett Ave
  • (212) 568-5450
• Love Kitchen Inc.: 401 W 205th St
  • (212) 942-4204
• Alliance for Positive Change: Washington Heights 2036 Amsterdam Ave
  • (212) 645-0875 700
• Church of The Good Shepherd: 104 Cooper Street
  • (212) 567-1300
• Community League Of The Heights: 508 West 159th Street
  • (212) 795-4779