Feeding the Hungry & Sheltering the Homeless

Catholic Charities supports a vast network of soup kitchens food pantries, emergency shelters, temporary and transitional housing, and permanent affordable housing to help homeless families and individuals in New York.

Impact

  • 5,104,821 nutritious meals served in parish and community food programs
  • 11,927 families prevented from becoming homeless 
  • 6,292 families living in affordable housing
  • 12,194 individuals provided with emergency overnight shelter

For more information about a particular program and/or service, navigate the tabs below:

  • Feeding Our Neighbors

    Far too many New York City residents - 1.4 million people, to be precise -- depend on food pantries and soup kitchens in New York to survive. That’s one out of every five New Yorkers, older women,  working families, veterans and, worst of all, children.

    Catholic Charities is making a difference.  We partner with programs to provide more than 6.5 million meals to hungry New Yorkers each year. Community and parish-based food programs and pantries offer families food to bring home.  Many locations also provide hot meals on site. Our mobile food pantry supported by the Rusty Staub Foundation provides meals and other services in Staten Island.   And we connect hungry people to the extra support they need so they will not go hungry again.

    We also partner with fellow organizations to make sure no one goes hungry:  

    Find emergency meals at a Catholic Charities agency nearby.

  • Preserving Housing

    A home is the foundation for stability.  But skyrocketing housing prices coupled with low wages result in evictions and homelessness for growing numbers of children, individuals and families.

    Catholic Charities is here to help.  Our Preserving Housing program provides homelessness prevention services for families and individuals facing imminent eviction.  Our staff assesses the situation.  They work with individuals and families to create comprehensive plans that respond to the immanent emergency.  And they help avoid future crises.  To access rent subsidies and other government programs our caseworkers work with landlords, legal services, fellow community-based organizations and financial management programs.

    Learn more.
    Download

    Individuals and families who fall behind on rent and are being sued in housing court can also receive help with:

    • Back rent
    • Family eviction prevention housing subsidies
    • Moving from New York City shelters to suitable apartments
    • Housing court and other legal challenges
    • Mediation with landlords

    Find a Catholic Charities agency for help with eviction.

     

  • Permanent Affordable Housing

    Affordable housing in New York?  Catholic Charities takes on the challenge.

    Catholic Charities and parishes developed affordable housing decades ago.  And we still work with the Association of Catholic Homes to preserve existing affordable housing and develop new affordable units.

    Specific eligibility requirements must be met to qualify for these housing units. Many also have long waiting list. 

    Find a Catholic Charities agency that offers permanent affordable housing.

  • Temporary & Transitional Residences

    When emergencies strike – abuse by a family member, fire in an apartment, whatever the cause –displaced people need a safe, temporary place to stay.  We provide transitional housing to help rebuild lives.

    Some cater to youth.  Others help women, men or families.  They offer the help needed to move from homelessness to permanent housing -- and independence. 

    Find a Catholic Charities agency that offers temporary and transitional residences.

  • Emergency & Temporary Shelters

    No one should have to live on the street.  Catholic Charities helps the homeless find shelter.

    We provide assistance to parish and other community organizations that offer temporary shelter. Some can be reached through a central registry.  Others can be contacted directly.

    Find a Catholic Charities agency that offers emergency shelter.

Food Pantries

No one should have to decide whether pay the rent or feed their family. A food pantry is an emergency food program that distributes food to individuals and families who cannot afford to visit a local supermarket or grocery store. Our food pantries help stretch your budget and prepare a nutritious meal.

Dedicated volunteers typically provide three-to seven-days of groceries based on the size of your families. Many are set up like supermarkets where you can shop for food such as fresh produce, meat, poultry and nonperishable food items.

Far too many New York City residents - 1.4 million people, to be precise -- depend on food pantries and soup kitchens in New York to survive. That’s one out of every five New Yorkers, older women,  working families, veterans and, worst of all, children.

Catholic Charities is making a difference.  We partner with programs to provide more than 6.5 million meals to hungry New Yorkers each year. Community and parish-based food programs and pantries offer families food to bring home.  Many locations also provide hot meals on site. Our mobile food pantry supported by the Rusty Staub Foundation provides meals and other services in Staten Island.   And we connect hungry people to the extra support they need so they will not go hungry again.

We also partner with fellow organizations to make sure no one goes hungry:  

Find emergency meals at a Catholic Charities agency nearby.

Soup Kitchens

A soup kitchen is an emergency food program that serves prepared, nutritious meals to hungry individuals and families. Many soup kitchens also offer meals to the homebound. Wherever a Catholic Charities agency provides a hot meal we also provide, support and advice for your families’ needs and a warm smile.

Learn more about our soup kitchens and food pantries 

Below are additional numbers for information and referral specialists.  

Far too many New York City residents - 1.4 million people, to be precise -- depend on food pantries and soup kitchens in New York to survive. That’s one out of every five New Yorkers, older women,  working families, veterans and, worst of all, children.

Catholic Charities is making a difference.  We partner with programs to provide more than 6.5 million meals to hungry New Yorkers each year. Community and parish-based food programs and pantries offer families food to bring home.  Many locations also provide hot meals on site. Our mobile food pantry supported by the Rusty Staub Foundation provides meals and other services in Staten Island.   And we connect hungry people to the extra support they need so they will not go hungry again.

We also partner with fellow organizations to make sure no one goes hungry:  

Find emergency meals at a Catholic Charities agency nearby.

Accessing Ongoing Supplemental Food (SNAP)

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps, can help you buy healthy food for you and your family when money is tight. Most of us have heard of food stamps and maybe we feel shy about using them in public. But food stamps have changed A LOT! If you are eligible you will be given a card that looks like a credit or debit card.

You may be surprised that even if you are working or own a car you may still be eligible. The only way to know is to apply.

Learn more about SNAP

Far too many New York City residents - 1.4 million people, to be precise -- depend on food pantries and soup kitchens in New York to survive. That’s one out of every five New Yorkers, older women,  working families, veterans and, worst of all, children.

Catholic Charities is making a difference.  We partner with programs to provide more than 6.5 million meals to hungry New Yorkers each year. Community and parish-based food programs and pantries offer families food to bring home.  Many locations also provide hot meals on site. Our mobile food pantry supported by the Rusty Staub Foundation provides meals and other services in Staten Island.   And we connect hungry people to the extra support they need so they will not go hungry again.

We also partner with fellow organizations to make sure no one goes hungry:  

Find emergency meals at a Catholic Charities agency nearby.

Other Eviction Prevention Resources

Catholic Charities partners with many organizations in the process of preventing an eviction. However, we may not have an office in your immediate area and we want you to get the help you need.

In New York City:  

Call 311 or go to: www.nyc.gov/311

Or download the Department of Homeless Services (DHS) map: www1.nyc.gov/assets/dhs/downloads/pdf/homebase_map.pdf

If you are in NYC and seeking free legal assistance, visit the NYC Human Resources Administration (HPA) website: http://www1.nyc.gov/site/hra/help/legal-assistance.page 

You can also view the HPA's Homelessness Prevention Page: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/hra/help/homelessness-prevention.page

 

Outside of New York City:

New York State funds non-profit organizations throughout the state to assist with a range of housing and eviction prevention needs. To find a provider in your area, see Housing and Support Services (HSS) by Region at the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) web page www.otda.ny.gov/programs/housing/providers

You can also Dial 211 or go to www211nys.org

A home is the foundation for stability.  But skyrocketing housing prices coupled with low wages result in evictions and homelessness for growing numbers of children, individuals and families.

Catholic Charities is here to help.  Our Preserving Housing program provides homelessness prevention services for families and individuals facing imminent eviction.  Our staff assesses the situation.  They work with individuals and families to create comprehensive plans that respond to the immanent emergency.  And they help avoid future crises.  To access rent subsidies and other government programs our caseworkers work with landlords, legal services, fellow community-based organizations and financial management programs.


Learn more.
Download

Individuals and families who fall behind on rent and are being sued in housing court can also receive help with:

  • Back rent
  • Family eviction prevention housing subsidies
  • Moving from New York City shelters to suitable apartments
  • Housing court and other legal challenges
  • Mediation with landlords

Find a Catholic Charities agency for help with eviction.

 

Other Affordable Housing Resources

In New York City 

 

Resources for All of New York State

Below are additional numbers for information and referral specialists.  

  • Dial the Catholic Charities Helpline at: 888-744-7900.

Affordable housing in New York?  Catholic Charities takes on the challenge.

Catholic Charities and parishes developed affordable housing decades ago.  And we still work with the Association of Catholic Homes to preserve existing affordable housing and develop new affordable units.

Specific eligibility requirements must be met to qualify for these housing units. Many also have long waiting list. 

Find a Catholic Charities agency that offers permanent affordable housing.