Free Summer Meals
Hundreds of schools, parks, libraries, and community organizations in New York City are providing free and nutritious breakfasts and lunches at locations across the five boroughs. Most of these are "open" sites, where kids and teens aged 18 and under can stop by without any sign-up or paperwork. Families can use the following tools to find a site nearby:
- Text “NYCFood” to 304-304
- Call 311
Learn more about free summer meals here.
NEW! Summer EBT
UWNYC is excited to highlight New York State's new Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) program, which assists families in purchasing food for their school-aged children over the summer. Most eligible children will automatically qualify for Summer EBT receiving $120 in food benefits, but some families may need to apply here.
Who is Automatically Eligible:
- Children receiving SNAP, Temporary Assistance, or Medicaid at any time in the 2023-24 school year, OR
- Children determined eligible by their school for free/reduced-price meals through the National School Lunch Program during the 2023-24 school year.
Who Must Apply:
- Children who are not automatically eligible, AND
- Children who attend a school participating in the National School Lunch Program, AND
- Children in a household that meets the income requirements for free/reduced-price school meals.
Additional NEW Summer EBT Outreach resources:
Food Access
- Health Bucks are $2 coupons that can be used to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at all NYC farmers markets. New Yorkers who participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can get $2 in Health Bucks for every $2 spent in SNAP benefits up to $10 per day. Health Bucks are also available through select community organizations.
- Half Off Farm Box: New Yorkers who participate in SNAP can get a pre-assembled box of regionally grown farm fresh fruits and vegetables for half the price of a full box.
- Get the Good Stuff: New Yorkers who participate in SNAP can get free fruits, vegetables and beans at certain NYC supermarkets. For every dollar spent in SNAP benefits on eligible fruits, vegetables and beans, get a matching dollar (up to $10 per day) that can be used for the next purchase of eligible foods.
- Groceries to Go: Eligible New Yorkers can get monthly credits to purchase groceries for delivery or pickup through an online platform.
- Green Carts: Learn more about these mobile food carts that offer fresh produce, including how to become a vendor.
- Life Threatening Emergency call 911
- Mental Health Help: NYC 988 is your connection to free, confidential crisis counseling, mental health and substance misuse support, information and referral. You can reach the toll-free help line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by phone, text and online chat. Mental health professionals there can link you to the services you need.
- Phone or text: 988
Phone (Español): 988, Aprete 2
- Interpretation services are available in over 200 languages
- TTY: 711 then 988
- Chat: 988lifeline.org/chat
- Find Services at nyc.gov/988
- for more information: https://www.nyc.gov/site/mopd/resources/mental-health.page
- HUNGRY -1-866-3-HUNGRY -USDA National Hunger Hotline 1-866-3-HUNGRY - -USDA National Hunger Hotline
- Food Bank Of NYC.: Emergency food, SNAP, Social Services, Clothing, pampers, toiletries, taxes and other services (212)566-7855.
- City Harvest-Emergency Food, SNAP and other services (646)412-0600
- 311 (food, SCRIE/DRIE, Temporary Housing and Shelter)
- HRA ONE SHOT DEAL: DISASTER ASSISTANCE, INCLUDES MOVING EXPENSES (718) 557-1399 (All Boroughs)
- For domestic violence services, call the Hotline at (800) 621-4673.
- Medicaid Renewal: Call the HRA Medicaid Helpline at (888) 692-6116.
- CUNY Fatherhood Academy: (718) 319-7931, (718) 730-7337, (718) 368-6523
- Fatherhood Support For NYC Dads: (212) NEW-YORK
- Parenting Support Program and Resources: (212) 639-9675
- For mental health or substance abuse help: (800) 543-3638
- MTA REDUCED FARE PROGRAM FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES: (718) 330-1234 (All Boroughs) (718) 596-8273 (TTY Relay) Languages Spoken: English, Spanish
- OFFICE OF TEMPORARY AND DISABILITY ASSISTANCE: (800) 342-3009 (All Boroughs)
- THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY ROAD TO RECOVERY PROGRAM: (800) 227-2345 (All Boroughs)
- ACCESS-A-RIDE: (718) 393-4999, (800) 662-1220 (TTY Relay)
- NY STATE NEW AMERICANS' HOTLINE: (800) 566-7636 (All Boroughs)
- HEALTH INSURANCE MARKETPLACE: (800) 318-2596 (All Boroughs)