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

Three free meals are available for every New Yorker. Meals can be picked up at all Meal Hubs, between 7:30 am and 1:30 pm, Monday through Friday. Text "NYC FOOD" or "NYC COMIDA" to 877-877 to find a Meal Hub near you or visit the Meal Hubs website.
DVS coordinates food deliveries to veterans and their families across NYC. Fill out the form at VetConnectNYC to request free meal kits from HelloFresh or GetFoodNYC.
Call Growing Up NYC's Emergency Food Hotline at 866-888-8777 or 311 to find a local pantry or kitchen.
For an online food assistance resource guide, visit COVID-19 Food Hub NYC.
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 or GetFoodNYC.
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.

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 Division 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.