For many of us, the holiday season is a time for happiness, cheer and getting together with family to enjoy delicious holiday meals. But there are many others – including children and families – who struggle during the holidays, especially when it comes to having enough food to eat. This holiday season, you can help provide food and other necessities to those in need by donating to a local food bank or food drive in Staten Island. You can also volunteer in many ways. You can serve meals at a local soup kitchen, deliver meals to homebound seniors, donate nonperishable food to a food drive, and even donate much-needed pet food and supplies to families in need. There is no shortage of ways to provide help to uplift your community.
Browse our guide to food banks and food drives in Staten Island that need support this holiday season. However you choose to help, you’re sure to make a positive impact on the lives of others.
Meals on Wheels of Staten Island
304 Port Richmond Ave.
718-727-4435
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Meals on Wheels serves to ensure elderly people in the community receive nutritious meals and the human connection they need to help them live independently by delivering two meals per day to senior citizens who live alone. You can make a monetary donation or volunteer to support the organization. Anyone older than 18 with a driver’s license and two free hours one morning per week can apply to deliver meals.
Project Hospitality
100 Park Ave.
718-448-1544
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This Staten Island food pantry and organization serves the hungry and homeless, people living with HIV & AIDS, the mentally ill and people battling addiction. The organization is in need of food donations, including: canned meats, fish and vegetables; canned or dried fruits; fruit juices; pasta and tomato sauce; non-perishable milk; and more. Drop off items Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm, to 514 Bay St. Volunteers are needed, too. Anyone 16 and older can assist in the soup kitchen, food and clothing pantries, with child-care services, tutoring, fundraising events, and more. Opportunities are available for children, too. They can run food drives, make reading kits, collect books and do lots more. For more information on volunteering and to download a volunteer application, go to projecthospitality.org.
South Shore Community Pantry
Pleasant Plains
347-352-1447
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This food pantry in Staten Island works to fill the gap of food insecurity around the borough. The organization is always in need of food and clothing to donate to those in need. To learn more about donating, or if you want to volunteer, send a message through its Facebook page.
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Catholic Charities of Staten Island St. Edward Food Pantry
6581 Hylan Blvd.
718-984-1500
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Make a monetary donation that will directly benefit the programs at Catholic Charities of Staten Island.
Council of Jewish Organizations (COJO)
984 Post Ave.
718-720-4047
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COJO, the JCC and Project Hospitality in partnership with Met Council will host the kosher food pantry drive-thru on Thursday, Nov.18, 2021, 2-4pm at the Bernikow JCC parking lot located at 1466 Manor Rd. Call for information about how you can support the event and organization.
Community Health Action of Staten Island
2134 Richmond Terr. (Pantry location)
718-808-1840
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This community-based organization has a local food pantry, as well as a mobile food pantry that visits neighborhoods across Staten Island, distributing free food four days a week. Make a monetary donation online and decide on the frequency of how often you want to donate.
El Centro
260 Port Richmond Ave.
718-420-6466
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This Staten Island organization’s mission is to promote the economic advancement and well being of immigrant workers and their families. It offers a variety of services including a food pantry. Call the organization to find out how you can lend support.
Faith United Methodist Church Food Pantry
221 Heberton Ave.
718-442-5684
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Call for information on how to support the church’s food pantry.
New Direction Services
1027 Post Ave.
718-880-8773
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Based in Staten Island, New Direction Services provides resources and services in all five boroughs to help fight food insecurity. The organization offers many services including community health and wellness programs, a food pantry, a pet food program and more. Visit the website to get information on how to donate.
Church of St. Teresa of the Infant Jesus Food Pantry
1634 Victory Blvd.
718-442-5412
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The church is in need of non-perishable groceries to keep its food pantry stocked. Items in need include Betty Crocker vanilla and chocolate cake mix, Bumble Bee white tuna in water, Cup-of-Soup, orange and strawberry Jell-O, Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, Tetley Tea and coffee. Pantry collection dates are every first Sunday of the month.
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church
309 St. Pauls Ave.
718-447-0526
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The church has been helping the hungry for over 25 years. Together with volunteers from local churches and schools, the soup kitchen serves homeless individuals and families. Currently, there is no indoor dining, but the organization makes to-go lunches. Call the church for more information on how you can offer support.
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