Where to Get Free Food, Groceries & SNAP Help in NYC (November 2025)
Where to Get Free Groceries, Meals, & Food Assistance in New York
Grocery prices are brutal. Benefits got delayed. And almost 2 million New Yorkers were left wondering how they were supposed to eat this month. The good news? SNAP benefits are on their way. But if you're still waiting, still in limbo, or simply still hungry, here’s where you can get food fast and free.
Food Banks, Pantries, Soup Kitchens, & More:
NYC’s official Regional Food Bank. Find pantries and soup kitchens in all 5 boroughs using their searchable map you can filter by day, meal type, and what's open now.
Not in the five boroughs? Find your regional food bank here.
Find locations across NYC that offer free groceries or hot meals. Search by ZIP code to see nearby pantries, soup kitchens, and mobile sites.
Search for local pantries, community meals, and mobile food distributions in one place. Filter by service type, day of the week, and more.
Find food assistance near you, anywhere in New York. Just enter your location to get a list of options.
Find a community fridge containing free food near you.
Local Free Meals & Offers:
- Charles Pan-Fried Chicken & Cooking With Shirley’s Son: 200 hot meals every Monday & Thursday at 4PM (St. Joseph’s Church, 125th & Morningside)
- FIELDTRIP: Nov 10–14, 100 bowls per day (first-come, first-served) at their Harlem location (109 Malcolm X Blvd)
- KYO Brooklyn: Free croissant and drip coffee with SNAP/EBT card
- Bel Aire Diner: Giving away 100 meals starting at 5PM (Astoria)
- Aloha Alley: Giving away 100 free Chicken Teri Plates starting at 11AM (Dumbo)
- The Onion Tree Pizza Co: All November, free sandwich + fries with SNAP/EBT at East Village location
- Greenberg’s Bagels: Free bagel with cream cheese or butter + hot coffee at both locations (valid until SNAP is back)
- Dumpling Dude NYC: Free frozen dumpling pack (10 per pack) per person in household. Pickup in Fort Greene or near Madison Sq Park.
- Bakery By Textbook: “Name your price” bread in Bed-Stuy + free sandwiches daily (PB&J or homemade Nutella on pita) after 4PM
Make the Most of Your SNAP Benefits:
DUFB NY is fully operational, even with recent SNAP delays. SNAP users can:
- Earn and spend DUFB on fresh fruits and vegetables
- Use DUFB at over 180 participating farmers' markets, grocery stores, and corner stores
- Spend previously earned DUFB; most do not expire immediately
Get Help via Call or Text:
USDA National Hunger Hotline: 1-866-3-HUNGRY or 1-877-8-HAMBRE (Spanish)
Text 914-342-7744 and type the word “food”
Call 311 if you're in NYC (Agents available 24/7)
Call 211 for NY State assistance
This isn’t charity. This is care. You deserve to eat. You deserve to be helped. No shame. No hoops.
Need help? Use this guide. Got SNAP? Check your benefits.
Know someone struggling? Share this now.
Know a resource or business offering help? Email us at [email protected].
Updated November 2025
