Mayor de Blasio Visits School Meal Hub on Lower East Side, Reminds New Yorkers About Food Resources Across New York City

April 7, 2020

Video available at: https://youtu.be/p393o8GiS18

NEW YORK—Mayor Bill de Blasio today visited P.S. 001 Alfred E. Smith in the Lower East Side to thank school food service workers who feed families at one of the City's 435 Meal Hubs, where three free meals are available daily for any New Yorker. In the last three weeks, between Meal Hubs and delivery, the City has provided over 2.6 million meals to New Yorkers across the City.

"Despite this crisis, we will not let any New Yorker go hungry, " said Mayor Bill de Blasio. "With more New Yorkers asking where their next meal will come from, our 435 Meal Hubs are here to serve them. And none of this would be possible without the hard work of the meal service workers on the front lines. We cannot thank them enough for their service."

"Before the COVID-19 crisis, over a million New Yorkers ate at least one meal per day at a school or senior center. We're working across City agencies to make sure that New Yorkers continue to get the food they need, even now that those buildings are closed to congregate gatherings. I want to join the Mayor in thanking our essential school cafeteria workers for their work on this important effort," said Food Czar and Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia.

"No New Yorker should go hungry during this crisis, and I'm so grateful to our food service staff who have served 1.8 million meals to students, families and now all New Yorkers in the past few weeks. Alongside our partner agencies, we will make sure that every one of our neighbors has access to the free and nutritious meals the need to stay safe and healthy," said Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza. 

"Essential to supporting the safety and health of older New Yorkers during the COVID-19 crisis is ensuring their continued access to daily meals. DFTA quickly worked with its network of partners to transition its in-person congregate meals at nearly 300 congregate centers citywide to a meal delivery system that will supply up to 170,000 meals a week to older adults across the five boroughs," said DFTA Commissioner Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez.

Meal Hubs

• Meals can be picked up at all Meal Hubs 7:30 am to 1:30 pm, Monday through Friday
• Meals Hubs will operate for children and families from 7:30 am to 11:30 am, and for adults from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm
  • No one will be turned away at any time
  • All adults and children can pick up three meals at one time
  • Vegetarian and halal options available at all sites
• Parents and guardians may pick up meals for their children
• No registration or ID required

New Yorkers can find the nearest Meal Hub or food pantry here, by visiting schools.nyc.gov, or texting NYC FOOD or NYC COMIDA to 877-877. The Department of Education has already served approximately 1.85 million meals since March 16.

SNAP

Anyone who may be eligible for SNAP or cash assistance can sign up from home by visiting ACCESS HRA.

Meal Delivery

DFTA has completely transitioned from meals at senior centers to home delivery, and has served 200,000 meals to seniors since March 23.

Anyone who cannot go out, who cannot have someone bring them food, and who cannot afford to use private delivery options can sign up for emergency home delivered meals via NYC.gov/GetFood or by calling 311. The City has delivered over 515,000 meals to 50,000 individual households since March 24.