I was told on the phone they do not accept used clothing because the ladies would not wear them,…read morebut they would accept name brand and new clothing. Another time I was told that they don't have space. So they have space for new, name brand clothing but not for gently used? Doesn't make sense and something about this is really disturbing. Spin it any way you choose but it feels wrong. I donated everything to another pantry in Brooklyn and everything thing, shoes, clothing, bags, coats was gone in 30 minutes. I also had my daughter pack up all her gently used clothing, teaching her to help those in need but she learned another lesson and I will leave it there.

What an amazing time I had here today helping CHIPS to serve the community..... it was exactly…read morewhere I needed to be today. I absolutely LOVE to help others so this was definitely my kind of party. The staff was very friendly and nice. To be quite honest, I've never even heard of this place before this event but I'm so glad that I know about it now. I will definitely be back in the near future to volunteer again. CHIPS houses 9 young women who must be 21 years old and over and pregnant in their third trimester and allows them to have a place to stay for one year. They must go back to school and participate with in-house activities. CHIPS offers so much more programs as well. I spoke with Denise who is the executive director about the possibility of me coming back to volunteer with my church and she said that it was fine but I would have to participate in a training class which takes place the second Thursday of each month at 9 am and the last Thursday of the month at 6pm. I had a great time volunteering alongside my fellow Yelpers Peter D, William K, Aura B and Steven S. I'm looking forward to more opportunities like this in the future. Special thanks to Peter D for putting this together and allowing us to give back to the community. Life isn't just about receiving but also giving.

Recently my son had surgery at HSS. The social worker set us up with a stay at the house the night…read morebefore surgery since we do not live close to the hospital. The staff was very friendly! We took a tour to get familiar with the facility and what it has to offer to families. There are terraces to sit out and relax. The top floor has a spa and gym. Each floor has a garbage shoot and laundry machines (which have to be reserved). Family room with a library. And of course the lower lobby where the kitchen is and some play areas for the kids. Meals are generously donated and very tasty! I even saw some vegetarian options. The rooms have linens, towels, blankets. The families using the room have to clean it after wards. Supplies were provided in the bathroom and other supplies in the closet. Our stay was very comfortable and made our situation a little less stressful. Highly recommend staying at the RMH for families battling complex medical treatments for their children I'm looking forward to our next stay in a couple weeks.

Well, unfortunately I am a user of this facility as my four year old son (www.elihorn.com) has…read morestage IV neuroblastoma cancer. We came to the Ronald McDonald House in October of 2007 and have been here off and on (mostly on) for the last 11 months now. It is available to kids that have cancer and their immediate family. Honestly, we're not sure what we would have done without it. Gone broke for one thing. There is no way we could afford to stay in Manhattan for this long if it wasn't for the $35/night Ronald McDonald House. Not only that, but they have fantastic corporate sponsors, so many nights there are free dinners put on by companies like JP Morgan, Bloomberg, NBA Cares, Ernst & Young, YES, and many many more. They also have many generous donations of local events like Mets tickets, Yankees tickets, Knicks tickets, the list goes on and on. Nearly every weekend in the summer the house takes a trip to somewhere fun like the beach, Hershey Park, Dorney Park, or even something as simple as Central Park. The Ronald McDonald House is 5 blocks from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and has a free shuttle to many of the neighborhood hospitals. It is basically like having a hotel room with the amenities of a living room downstairs on the first floor, a computer lab and MEGA playroom in the basement, and a kitchen and dining room area on the second floor. Each family has access to a stove, microwave, dishes, and a drawer in a fridge and freezer. Each room has 2 single beds, a queen sized pull out couch, a TV with a DVD/VCR player, dresser drawers, a phone, a vacuum cleaner, pillows and sheets, and a bathroom. Each floor has a washer and dryer as well. Each resident is responsible for keeping their rooms clean as there is no housekeeping service for the rooms. The biggest advantage, however, is making friends with other families going through the same thing you are and having that lifetime bond. We get to share our experiences and learn from each other. The kids become great buddies and have a great time playing with each other (when they feel up to it). If you are not a supporter of the Ronald McDonald House Charity, I'd urge you to consider it. If you live near 405 E 73rd Street in Manhattan and would love to give back to the community, please consider volunteering at the house. Every night different volunteers show up to help with dinners or to simply play with the kids and we love them all.

I went to go get groceries this morning from the common pantry. The pantry I went to is on…read moreShakespeare Avenue in the Bronx. I am a senior citizen I have not been well and I told them that they said to me I was not getting any groceries today because it was their policy because I haven't been there in 3 months. I had no one to help me and I do everything by myself. This is absolutely ridiculous and I would give them a zero rating if I could. It's not fair and it's not right after I sat there for 2 hours and they allow people to come in and get the other people four and five people at a time so you're sitting there waking your f****** time. Never again

New York Common Pantry at 109 Street is my favorite food pantry in my hood…read more The experience at this or any food pantry is much different for someone that's donating and the individual that is seeking a donation. I'm fortunate that I go here to donate canned and other non permissible items. Now my daughter just informed me that they have a partnership with Fresh Direct. They take the reusable bags that she keeps accumulating from our weekly grocery delivery. We're going to bring them as soon as weather warms up. Another reason we can assist our local food pantry besides our food donations. I really appreciate their hard work and dedication to the community.

I have volunteered here a few times and think it is an absolutely amazing place…read more NCS is a "upscale" homeless shelter on the Upper East Side. The shelter is home to people who are technically homeless. The people that reside here may have mental issues and have progress from living on the sides. The facility, staff and residents are very nice. It is safely controlled with a buzzer on the door and a person sitting at the door. Volunteers can come in and cook for the residents. I have done both the Saturday dinner and the Sunday brunch. When I've volunteered the Sunday brunch has had an amazingly fully menu, including sausage strata, banana walnut French Toast, pancakes, baked eggs, home fries, grits, bacon, coffee and tea, along with a couple additional selections. Volunteers are required to cook (while wearing mandatory gloves) and serve the food to the residents. Everything is completed with hygiene and safety to the residents and volunteers in mind. Of course there is some since of self gratification in coming here, but the best part about this self-indulgence is that volunteering here also helps other people. In doing something to make yourself feel good, you are still doing something for someone else.

NCS provides supportive housing and services (but not shelters) to people who are currently or…read morepreviously homeless with focus on substance abuse and mental illness, as well as help for young adults who have aged out of the foster care system. There are opportunities for volunteers to prepare and serve dinner to residents, or lead recreational activities like yoga, karaoke, drumming, arts & crafts, a comedy show, or rooftop gardening. There are also volunteer group activities like meal prep, painting, and gardening projects.

Great community center for the neighborhood. Didn't know it existed until I went for a wellness…read morefair with a friend from the area. Not only the wellness center was great and had a a lot of vendors; the community center itself is a great space for resource. Felt pretty safe there considering how the area is at night. Would come back and would even participate in events if they need volunteers or more vendors.

City Harvest is such an amazing non-profit organization helping to feed thousands of those less…read morefortunate on a daily basis. They rescue perfectly good, nutritious food that would otherwise go to waste and delivers it for free to New Yorkers experiencing hunger. It's one of New York City's largest food rescue organizations. If you can volunteer for them its such a worthwhile cause. They are always looking for volunteers especially during the holidays. It feels good to give back and help out. We support this organization with yearly donations.

This week is volunteers appreciation week. I signed up for the 10am-12:30pm shift on Thursday…read more There were two corporations there that day, Ernst Young and Paul Weiss. I was shocked how many people signed up to volunteer. In the meeting room, it was packed. There were not enough chairs for everyone. The orientation was given by Alex. She gave us a brief history about City Harvest. Moreover, she gave us a guide on how to distinguish a good apple from a bad one. Also, she showed us how to tie the bag hence they don't fall out. The facility is spectacular. I heard it's only 2 years old. Also, the funds to build it were mostly donated by Rachel Ray. They have lockers, coffee machine and filter water fountain. It's easy to get to, the R train to 53rd street is close by.

FABnyc was founded in 2001 by a group of nonprofits on the Lower East Side. They do a wonderful…read morejob of bringing people together and they sponsor various programs. Next Saturday (October 19), they're sponsoring a terrific-sounding event; it's called LES (Lower East Side) Arts & Culture Open House. There will be 20 LES organizations participating - including the International Center of Photography, which I've reviewed previously - and admission will be free at each organization. There will also be some free activities - such as tours, workshops and performances.

A great organization that works tirelessly to raise awareness for IBD-related illnesses, in…read moreaddition to raising substantial funds to help find a cure for these debilitating, chronic, and burdensome illnesses! Although I am not someone with Crohns or Ulcerative Colitis, I found many of my best friends through this organization participating as a supporter. I know firsthand that many of them have found a close-knit community of people, who not only support one another, but can deeply relate and connect to one another as they have similar stories about IBD to share. I have loved the annual Manhattan and Brooklyn walks that I think do a great job to raise awareness to NYC (and the world!) about these illnesses. Thank you for the work you do, and I look forward to volunteering and fundraising with you for years to come!