Individual Care

Food Assistance

The NYC Department of Veterans' Services (DVS) serves veterans facing food insecurity due to a financial emergency, as well as homebound veterans in need of food delivery services. DVS connects veterans to local food services and assistance programs in their community.

Connect to food assistance services by filling out the VetConnectNYC form and selecting "Food Assistance" as your preferred service:

Request Services on VetConnectNYC

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Emergency Food Assistance

DVS coordinates food deliveries to veterans and their families across NYC. Fill out the form at VetConnectNYC to request free meal kits from HelloFresh.
Call Growing Up NYC's Emergency Food Hotline at 866-888-8777 or 311 to find a local pantry or kitchen.
Visit the Hunter College NYC Food Policy Center to find a list of food resources in each NYC neighborhood.

Benefits Assistance

You can apply for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits online at Access HRA.
To shop for fresh groceries online using your SNAP benefits visit the online SNAP ordering page.
The Volunteers of Legal Service's (VOLS) Unemployed Workers Project provides free legal advice to low-wage and unemployed workers who are seeking government benefits. If you need support accessing benefits, call the Unemployed Workers Project hotline at 347-521-5720 or fill out this VOLS Unemployed Workers Interest Form.
The United States Department of Agriculture provides information on federal nutrition programs, as well as services and resources available for military and veteran families.
The USDA National Hunger Clearinghouse provides food assistance and other nutrition and social services information to low income individuals and communities. To contact the Clearinghouse:
- Call the USDA National Hunger Hotline, which operates from 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM ET. If you need food assistance, call 1-866-3-HUNGRY or 1-877-8-HAMBRE to speak with a representative who will find food resources such as meal sites, food banks, and other social services available near your location.
- Text the automated service at 914-342-7744 with a question that may contain a keyword such as "food," "summer," "meals," etc. to receive an automated response to resources located near an address and/or zip code.

Delivery Services

DVS coordinates food deliveries to veterans and their families across NYC. Fill out the form at VetConnectNYC to request free meal kits from HelloFresh.
Place requests for food deliveries from volunteers in your community through Invisible Hands.
God's Love We Deliver delivers food to individuals living with chronic illnesses or disabilities.

Find a Food Bank

The NYC Department of Probation has opened five Nutrition Kitchens throughout the city. When you visit a NeON Nutrition Kitchen, you'll get free, nutritious groceries and great service from our friendly staff.
The following organizations provide food bank locations and maps:
- Coalition for the Homeless
- Feeding America
- Food Help NYC
- USFoodBanks.org
- Plentiful
- Call Growing Up NYC's Emergency Food Hotline at 866-888-8777 or 311 to find a local pantry or kitchen.
- Download the Plentiful app to make reservations at food pantries.

V.E.T.S Inc administers several food programs to include pantries, Grab and Go, Soup Kitchens, and Senior Food Programs at various Veteran-based facilities. See below for locations and availability.
- Veteran In Command
  116-16 Rockaway Beach Blvd. Rockaway Park, NY 11169
  Food Pantry every Tuesday from 3 to 5 pm
  Site Supervisor: Sal Lopizzo, Executive Director V.I.C
- American Legion Post 483
  240-08 135th Avenue, Rosedale, NY11422
  Food Pantry every Wednesday from 3 to 5 pm
  Senior Silver Service (CSFP) every 2nd Wednesday of each month
  w/Photo ID, Date of Birth, Proof of Residency Required
  Site Supervisor: Post Commander, Major Retired Sharon Sweeting Lindsey
- Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5298
  143-17 Springfield Blvd., Springfield Gardens, NY 11413
  Food pantry every Wednesday from 3 to 5 pm
  Site Supervisor: Post Commander Leroy A. Barnes
- Hollis Gardens Veterans Complex (Help USA)
  202-14 Hollis Avenue, Hollis, NY11412
  Food Pantry every Thursday from 3 to 5 pm
  Senior Silver Service (CSFP) every 2nd Wednesday of each month
  w/Photo ID, Date of Birth, Proof of Residency Required
  Site Supervisor: Post Commander Neil Jordan
- Honor House Veterans Facility
  111-16 173rd Street, Jamaica, NY 11433
  Food pantry every Friday from 10 am to 12 PM
  Grab & Go Soup Kitchen from 10 am to 12 pm
  Site Supervisor, Shantel Anderson, Executive Administrator

Food Assistance for Senior Veterans

Seniors looking for delivery services can visit Meals on Wheels.

FreshConnect Checks for Veterans, Service Members, and Immediate Family Members

In collaboration with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, the New York State Department of Veterans’ Services is offering FreshConnect Checks to Veterans, service members, and their immediate families.
Each eligible Veteran, service member, or family member may receive $20 worth of FreshConnect Checks for redemption at participating farmers’ markets and farm stands. Recipients can shop with these FreshConnect Checks and redeem them for dairy, produce, meat, fish, eggs, or any SNAP eligible food items.
While supplies are available, you may be eligible to receive FreshConnect Checks through the Division of Veterans’ Services on a first come, first served basis.
If you are a Veteran, service member, or immediate family member of a Veteran, please call (888) 838-7697 for more information on how to obtain FreshConnect Checks.
Click here to find a farmer’s market near you

Reports and Studies

The MAZON's 2021 Hungry in the Military report outlines key issues and opportunities regarding food insecurity among military families.
The Impaq International study highlights the SNAP participation rates by eligible veterans.

Resources for Service Providers

Food Insecurity: Bringing Solutions to the Table, create by MAZON and PsychArmor, is an online training course for service providers who work with veterans.