What documents do I need to sign up for food pantry services?

  • IDs for all adults in the household, (state ID, City ID, passport/Id from any country).
  • For Children under 18, Medicaid, Birth Certificate, Passport, or School Letter that has the child’s name and date of birth.

 

To sign up do I need to provide proof of citizenship?

  • All are welcomed regardless of immigration status.

 

Do I need a referral to sign up for services?

  • Walk ins and referrals are welcomed.

 

For food services do I need to meet an income requirement?

  • No income requirements, we will ask you to declare your household income in order to effectively screen for public benefits that you might be eligible for such as Snap, Health Care insurance and rental assistance.

 

Do I need to live in the neighborhood or the borough to receive services?

  • All are welcomed regardless of the Borough you reside in.

 

Can I sign up for both pantry locations?

  • Unfortunately you can only be an active member at one of the two food pantry locations. However, you are allowed to switch to another pantry site to accommodate your commute.  Please see a Help 365 case manager at your assigned pantry location for additional information.

 

How often can I receive Food from the pantry?

  • After completing the membership process you are allowed to come every 14 days to pick up your food packages.

 

What type of Food do you provide?

  • Our Choice Pantry Programs offers fresh and nutritious food free to participants who register with a Help 365 or Project Dignity Case Manager.  Pantry packages are supplemental grocery packages that obtain the following five food categories: protein, dairy, grains, fruits and vegetables, proportional to the number of individuals in the family and provided every two weeks.

 

What public benefits can I get assistance in applying for?

  • Help 365 case managers can assist with SNAP, Health Care, rental assistance, unemployment amongst others.  Feel free to walk in to meet with a case manager at the Choice pantry.

Manhattan:
Monday through Saturday 9am to 4pm (Covid operational hours are 10 AM – 2 PM) or call 917-720-9728, 9726 or 9716.
 
(During the Covid Operational Hours please be prepared to meet with a Help 365 Case Manager outside the facility in a designated area.  Please note that the wait time may be longer than usual and we apologize for the inconvenience this may cause you.  If you are unable to wait, you are welcome to leave your name and number with a Help case manager and they will follow up with you at the earliest convenience.)
 
For Bronx Choice pantry walk-in hours of operations are Tuesday through Saturday 8am to 3pm or you can call 917-982-2700.

 

Do you provide Homeless services?

  • Yes, Project Dignity Case Management has an array of services designed to meet the most basic needs of our homeless visitors – food, hygiene services, mail service, as well as the larger, more challenging issues the homeless face – stable housing and access to benefits.  The goal of the program is to serve as a bridge back to bring health, well-being and self-sufficiency for our homeless and hungry guests.  Project Dignity Services also include but are not limited to:

Hot prepared meals (meals are to go due to Covid-19) Monday through Friday 2:30pm to 3:30pm.
 
Brown bag lunches are provided Saturday’s, Sundays and Holidays 4pm to 5pm.

  • Hygiene services that include Showers hygiene kits are offered Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Friday’s 9:30am to 1pm (laundry and haircuts are suspended until further notice due to Covid-19).
  • Project Dignity Case Management assistance with applying for vital records(birth certificates and ID), SNAP, Health care insurance, SSI/D, Supportive Housing, Mental health evaluations to support housing and benefits applications.  Mail service is also available.

 

If I need assistance with ID, Birth Certificate to apply for public benefits can I get help?