Hear from Our Neighbors

‘Neighbors Helping Neighbors’ Has Never Been More True

In times of great need, New Yorkers have always stepped up to take care of each other. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen both an unprecedented need for food and an unprecedented response from New Yorkers eager to help.

Far more New Yorkers are depending on us now to help put meals on their tables than before the crisis. We expect this elevated need to continue over the months to come. Learn more about our COVID-19 response, and how you can help.

We’ve asked some of our neighbors—participants, volunteers, City Harvest staff—to share their stories of life in pandemic-era New York:

 
The City Harvest Mobile Market means a lot. It means that we can feed ourselves. I’m able to feed my family.

Annie, Bed Stuy Mobile Market Participant

 
I deliver between 20,000 and 30,000 pounds of food every day. I’m so happy that I’m here at City Harvest during this time because I feel like I’m making a difference.

Dave Masson, City Harvest Driver

 
City Harvest is a helping hand. They have not stopped delivering to us during the pandemic and are an ally we can depend on.

Maria Velez, Associate Director, St. Paul's House Inc.

 
I worked at a parking garage in Manhattan, and my hours have been significantly reduced. I come to every St. Mary's Mobile Market and am very grateful for the food that I get.

Carlos, St. Mary's Mobile Market Volunteer & Participant

 
I'm glad that I can help even if it's just one meal per day.

Omega Wood, City Harvest Driver

 
I was a temp and lost my job during the pandemic. I find hope and relief in the food given out by City Harvest.

Heloise, Prince Hall Mobile Market Participant

 
I do anything I can to help. It is great to work for an organization like City Harvest. We serve the people, the neighbors who need food.

Ramon Vargas, City Harvest Driver

 
It is important to stretch my dollars, and with the rising costs of food, City Harvest provides a relief.

Cecilia, Prince Hall Mobile Market Participant

 
I worry that I won’t be able to feed my family if I'm not able to return to work soon. I also worry about what'll happen if I go back to work and my children can't return to school.

Wascar, Prince Hall Mobile Market Participant

 
I teach film and was laid off by my employer. I’m picking up from the Mobile Market to not run out of food. Coming here is an easy opportunity to get food. I am grateful.

Poyshell, Bed Stuy Mobile Market Participant

 
Instead of seeing 200 families a week, we’re seeing almost 6,500 families a week.

Mohammad Razvi, CEO, COPO Food Pantry

 
I really appreciate that I'm working at City Harvest during this pandemic. It's one of the best things I've ever done in my life.

Alvaro Angulo, City Harvest Driver

 
My husband is a construction worker and is currently not working. We have three growing children and they need a lot of food. This is my first time at the City Harvest Mobile Market, and I feel very grateful.

Miriam, Bed Stuy Mobile Market Participant

 
When I first started working for City Harvest, this was a job for me. After I got to see how much good City Harvest does, it became a mission. I love feeding people.

Donte Moore, City Harvest Driver

 
Our pantry has gone from serving 300 people at our peak to helping 1,660 on a Saturday and delivering to almost 200 homes a week. We can serve this many only because City Harvest has stepped up to help us.

Joel Matos, Holding Hands Ministries

 
I didn't re-certify my food stamps in time, and I'm afraid that I won’t have anything to eat. I worry that the pantries might run out of food. I'm not able to afford to buy food in the supermarket.

Cleo, St. Mary's Mobile Market Participant

 
I am currently unemployed. I used to work in a bakery. I am happy to be able to get food from City Harvest. It's a big help.

Diana, St. Mary's Mobile Market Participant

 
I see so many people, and I think, ‘Does this agency have enough food for all these people?’ I talking about lines, and lines, and lines of people—blocks and blocks.

Antonio Minaya, City Harvest Driver

If you or anyone you know is looking for food in NYC, we’ve compiled an interactive map of locations across the city offering food, free of charge. Share your story with us by emailing Alice Harrison at [email protected].