Access to food and basic needs is essential for student well-being, yet many CUNY students experience food insecurity and financial challenges that can impact their academic success. Across campuses, food pantries and basic needs programs provide free groceries, emergency support, and connections to additional resources. These services are designed to be accessible, inclusive, and supportive of all students, including those from LGBTQIA+ communities.
This page brings together pantry locations, eligibility information, and contact details to help students quickly find support. Whether you need short-term assistance or ongoing resources, these programs aim to reduce barriers and ensure that every student has what they need to focus on their education and overall well-being.
Eligibility & Access (What to Know)
Food pantry requirements vary, but common guidelines include:
- Some pantries require student ID or registration
- Some require appointments, while others allow walk-ins
- Many programs are open to all immigration statuses
- Eligibility may be based on:
- income level
- enrollment in programs like SNAP, WIC, TANF, Medicaid, or SSI
- Certain programs (such as USDA-supported food banks) may require income below a set threshold, while others have no strict income requirements. Follow pantry guidelines for frequency of visits
- Identify a pantry near your campus or community
- Check whether it requires an appointment or allows walk-ins
- Bring required documentation (if needed, such as student ID)
- Visit during open hours or schedule a pickup
Bronx Food Resources
Bronx Community College Food Pantry
Bronx Community College Food Pantry
Location: Bronx
Contact: bcc.arc@bcc.cuny.edu
Eligibility: Enrolled CUNY students
Cost: Free
Hostos Community College Food Pantry
Hostos Community College Food Pantry
Location: Bronx
Contact: mcruz@hostos.cuny.edu
Eligibility: Enrolled students
Cost: Free
Lehman College Food Pantry
Lehman College Food Pantry
Location: Bronx
Contact: 718-319-7981 / 718-518-4141
Eligibility: Lehman students only
Cost: Free
Manhattan Food Resources
Baruch College Food Pantry
- Baruch College – Bearcat Pantry
- Location: Manhattan
- Contact: deanofstudents@baruch.cuny.edu
- Eligibility: Enrolled CUNY students
- Cost: Free
Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) Food Pantry
Location: Manhattan
Contact: arc@bmcc.cuny.edu
Eligibility: Enrolled CUNY students
Cost: Free
City College of New York
City College of New York
Location: Manhattan
Contact: bennysfoodpantry@ccny.cuny.edu
Eligibility: Enrolled CUNY students
Cost: Free
CUNY School of Professional Studies (SPS) Food Pantry
CUNY School of Professional Studies (SPS)
Location: Manhattan
Contact: FoodAccess@sps.cuny.edu
Eligibility: Enrolled CUNY students
Cost: Free
Guttman Community College Food Pantry
Guttman Community College Food Pantry
Location: Manhattan
Contact: scholarships@sps.cuny.edu
Eligibility: Enrolled CUNY students
Cost: Free
Hunter College Food Pantry
Hunter College Food Pantry
Location: Manhattan
Contact: rt2049@hunter.cuny.edu
Eligibility: Enrolled CUNY students
Cost: Free
John Jay College of Criminal Justice
John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Location: Manhattan
Contact: JJCFoodBank@jjay.cuny.edu
Eligibility: Enrolled CUNY students
Cost: Free
Macaulay Honors College
Macaulay Honors College – Mountain Lion Food Pantry
Location: Manhattan
Contact: curtis.hoover@mhc.cuny.edu
Eligibility: All CUNY students
Cost: Free
CUNY Graduate Center
CUNY Graduate Center
Location: Manhattan
Website: https://www.gc.cuny.edu/
Contact: stu_aff@gc.cuny.edu
Eligibility: Enrolled CUNY students
Cost: Free
Kingsborough Community College
Kingsborough Community College – ARC Food Pantry
Location: Brooklyn
Contact: arc.kcc@kbcc.cuny.edu
Eligibility: KCC community (1 visit/month)
Cost: Free
Brooklyn Food Resources
Medgar Evers College
Medgar Evers College
Location: Brooklyn
Website: https://www.mec.cuny.edu/student-success/transition-academy/
Contact: 718-270-6988
Eligibility: All CUNY students
Cost: Free
NYC College of Technology (City Tech)
NYC College of Technology (City Tech) -NEST Food Pantry
Location: Brooklyn
Contact: transitionacademy@mec.cuny.edu
Eligibility: All CUNY students
Cost: Free
Brooklyn College
Brooklyn College
Location: Brooklyn
Contact: sss@brooklyn.cuny.edu
Eligibility: All CUNY students (2 visits/month, intake required)
Cost: Free
Queens Food Resources
CUNY School of Law
CUNY School of Law
Location: Queens
Contact: 718-951-5059
Eligibility: Law school ID required
Cost: Free
LaGuardia Community College
LaGuardia Community College
Location: Queens
Description: LaGuardia CARES
Contact: laguardiacares@lagcc.cuny.edu
Eligibility: Not specified
Cost: Free
Queens College
Queens College Food Pantry
Location: Queens
Contact: Arianna.Livreri@qc.cuny.edu
Eligibility: Not specified
Cost: Free
Queensborough Community College
Queensborough Community College
Location: Queens
Contact: knightstable@qc.cuny.edu
Eligibility: Not specified
Cost: Free
York College
York College
Location: Queens
Contact: 718-262-2008 / studentaffairs@york.cuny.edu
Eligibility: Enrolled CUNY students
Cost: Free
Community Food Resources
- Emergency food assistance programs
- NYC food banks and pantries
- Community fridges
- SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)
- WIC (Women, Infants, and Children)
Additional Basic Needs Resources
Financial Assistance Programs
NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA)
- Location: Multiple NYC offices / online
- Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–5 PM
- Cost: Free
The Door
- Location: 121 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY
- Hours: Mon–Fri 10 AM–6 PM
- Cost: Free
Childcare Resources
NYC Administration for Children’s Services
- Location: Citywide
- Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–5 PM
- Cost: Free or low-cost (based on income)
Head Start NYC
- Location: Multiple NYC sites
- Hours: Varies by center
- Cost: Free
CUNY Early Childhood Centers
- Location: Various CUNY campuses
- Hours: Typically Mon–Fri 8 AM–6 PM
- Cost: Low-cost (student rates)
Employment & Job Support
1. Workforce1 Career Centers
- Location: Multiple NYC locations
- Hours: Mon–Fri 9 AM–5 PM
- Cost: Free
2. CUNY Career Launch
- Location: CUNY campuses
- Hours: Varies by campus
- Cost: Free
3. The Door Career Services
- Location: 121 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY
- Hours: Mon–Fri 10 AM–6 PM
- Cost: Free
Health & Wellness Services
Callen-Lorde Community Health Center
- Location: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx
- Hours: Mon–Sat (varies by site)
- Cost: Free or sliding scale
NYC Health + Hospitals
- Location: Citywide
- Hours: 24/7 (hospitals)
- Cost: Free or low-cost
Barriers to Access
Students may face challenges such as:
- lack of awareness about available resources
- confusing eligibility requirements
- limited hours or appointment systems
- documentation concerns (especially for LGBTQ+ and undocumented students)
These barriers can prevent students from accessing food even when resources are available.
This website was created through the collaborative efforts of the 2026 LGBTQIA+ Health Fellows Program, a program founded and developed through the leadership and vision of Dr. Jan Oosting, Mateo Tebar, and Anthony Sweeney. Special recognition is extended to Tiya Williams, College Assistant for the LGBTQIA+ Health Fellows Program, for helping coordinate resources, support website development, and expand access to information and services for community members. Additional recognition goes to Jesse Evans-Rice and Christina Chala for their guidance, support, and contributions throughout the project. Their collective dedication and commitment helped make this resource possible and will continue to support the community for years to come.
