The Yorkville Common Pantry
SHARED by: Gymtime
Just blocks from Gymtime is New York City’s first and largest single-site community based food pantry. Since 1980, The Yorkville Common Pantry (YCP) has been implementing various initiatives and programs to reduce hunger, while promoting dignity and self-sufficiency in those they serve.
YCP Programs:
Through YCP’s Choice Pantry Program, Pantry Members are able to choose food items for their grocery package items will feed each member of the family three meals for four days. The new Client Choice program empowers individuals by enabling them to pick-out the nutritious foods they want to feed their family. Project Dignity provides aid to the hungry and the homeless through a range of services that meet client’s most basic needs, including food, shelter, showers, laundry and medical care. Project Dignity also addresses the more challenging issues their clients face, including long-term housing, employment, health care and benefits. The Hot Meal Program provides hot breakfast 5 days a week and hot dinner 3 days a week. 365 YCP is a 24-hour, 7-days a week emergency food program and provides ready-to-go brown bag meals on days hot meals are not provided. 365 YCP also focuses on acquiring benefits and entitlements to YCP visitors. YCP founded the Nutritional Initiative for Children and Families (NICF) to educate and promote a healthy lifestyle to children and adults. NICF holds nutrition-education and cooking workshops to families at community organizations surrounding East Harlem.
In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, Yorkville Common Pantry needs your food donations more than ever. Give thanks by supporting your local food pantry and those who are less fortunate this Thanksgiving. As a non-profit agency with so many wonderful community partners, YCP completely relies on donations from food drives in order meet this demand and ensure that no one goes hungry during the Holiday season or year-round.
The York Avenue Preschool Parent Association is hosting their annual Thanksgiving Food Drive for Yorkville Common Pantry (YCP) from Monday, November 5 until Friday, November 9, 2012. Food items will be collected in the boxes located in the lobby. The following items have been requested by YCP: corn bread mix, stuffing mix, rice, canned cranberry sauce, and turkey gravy. Another option is a monetary donation of $30, which will provide a full Thanksgiving dinner for a family of five.