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• Canned soup, canned chunky soup, canned stew, canned fruits and vegetables, coffee, juice 100%

For pick-ups contact our Volunteer and Distribution Coordinators at (917) 720- 9710.

YCP in the New York Times
YCP is mentioned in the Metro section of the New York Times. The article discusses the efforts of City Harvest to rescue food from farmers and the current struggles of food pantries and soup kitchens to receive food to meet their current demands. Click here to read the New York Times article.

“It is shameful when food pantries that provide essential nourishment to the most vulnerable run out of food due to a lack of federal support. Millions of New Yorkers rely on these food banks to keep their families healthy and sometimes even survive. For far too long, vital emergency food programs have been starved for funding. You might not believe it, but the same farm bill that sends billions to corn growers in Iowa, is also a vital lifeline for food assistance programs right here in New York City. This year’s farm bill is one for the best ever for urban food programs, directing unprecedented resources toward food stamps, food pantries, and other nutrition programs. I will fight in Congress to ensure these programs receive the maximum funding possible.”

To read more click here.

In an effort to bring more dignity to our pantry distribution process, YCP has been able to virtually eliminate the “bread-line”, by implementing a staggered distribution schedule. Families are now given their packages on a schedule based on family size i.e. families of 1-2 are invited to come 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM and families of 3-4 are invited to come 11:30 AM to 12:30PM. This schedule in conjunction with our bar-coded pantry membership card has reduced the waiting time from 1.5 hours to 10 minutes.

In June 2006, YCP implemented a third pantry distribution day to address the particular needs of our more vulnerable pantry members: Senior Citizens and Disabled Clients. This additional day allows YCP to meet the special dietary needs of our seniors and is a major factor in the overall reduction in wait time across all pantry distribution days.

Our Thursday Pantry served 370 families each week, our new Friday Pantry served 200 families and our Saturday Pantry served 280 families weekly. As with every year, YCP was able to provide 1,400 families with a Thanksgiving pantry packages that included a turkey for roasting; 1,179 families received Christmas pantry packages that included a chicken roaster or spiral ham for the holidays; and 961 children from infancy to 16 years of age from 258 families received Christmas gifts, including toys, gift cards, and clothing.

YCP was able to meet the higher demand for food by increasing cash expenditures from $246,589 to $275,244 and food donations from $690,564 to $845,749. The increase in donated food comes primarily from City Harvest, the Food Bank for New York City and food drives conducted by YCP’s sponsoring organizations, and schools.

The three full-time case managers made a total of 3,161 documented referrals for services other than food for a total of 1,053 clients. These included housing/rent assistance (182); mail distribution (316); mental health counseling (1,005); drug counseling (58); identification or documentation assistance (595); vocational/educational programs (83); Food Stamps, Public Assistance, Unemployment entitlements (121); clothing (53); legal assistance (23).

Yorkville Common Pantry
8 East 109th Street
New York, NY 10029
Phone: (917) 720-9700
Fax: (917) 720-9665

Major Funders: $5,000 and up, Fiscal Year 2005
(Listed in alphabetical order)

Besides volunteering as an individual, group volunteer projects are always welcome!  YCP has hosted volunteer groups as large as 50 from schools, businesses, churches, and other community-based institutions.  These groups have cleaned and painted the facility, stocked pantry shelves, and assisted with food deliveries.  If you have an idea for a volunteer project, please email Gladys Ortiz or call her at (917) 720-9710.  We look forward to working with you!

*Please note: Yorkville Common Pantry is not open on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day or New Year’s Day.

Program Descriptions:

We welcome all suggestions for volunteer opportunities. In addition, we are always eager to meet with service coordinators, address school classes, or publicize service opportunities at your school or organization. Please contact Gladys Ortiz at (917) 720-9710 to schedule an opportunity.

For a list of donations YCP accepts year-round, visit our Donation_Page

For further questions regarding fundraising opportunities, please contact Susan Hanchett, Director of Development at (917) 720-9707 or via email at shanchett@ycp.org