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.

Such a great community organization that meets the needs of the homeless and marginalized. At times…read moreit may be people who need temporary assistance for food items. The organization has a great team of interns and volunteers that dedicate their time on Mondays Wednesdays and Fridays from 700-9am to feed and encourage to community of midtown Manhattan. Duties range from packing pantry items and food bags, cleaning, plating and serving food. My favorite prt is seeing people light up and want to interact with you for a little bit. Since the pandemic the organization no longer serves patrons inside the building. People line up outside to pick up their food bags M,W,F between 8-830am (on the dot) Sign up at program@stphouse.org to volunteer or at https://www.hfny.org/redhen/org/1077

Such a blessed house that truly puts their all into giving back to the community. I've been…read moretraveling from New Jersey to volunteer for Friday Soup Kitchen for a few months now. Everyone here is always welcoming, generous, personable, and willing to go above and beyond. Their care is extended from the citizens that show up for meals and food pantry to the volunteers. They are clean, organized, and just what the city needs.

I have volunteered at this location of GLWD over many years with my dear colleagues and friends…read more We worked in the kitchen packing meals for those in need who are afflicted with severe and chronic illnesses. The staff are a wonderful group. Always very helpful and generous. GLWD goes above and beyond since they started during the AIDS epidemic in 1985. I remember when Joan Rivers was the biggest sponsor and spokesperson of GLWD. Wishing you and yours a blessed healthy Holiday season. Please remember to volunteer and donate to those less fortunate. PEACE ON EARTH

I volunteered here today with a few of my coworkers and we really enjoyed ourselves. The staff…read morethoroughly explained everything in detail which included a brief orientation that was super informative and helpful. This is a truly beautiful organization that helps people in need and I am happy to have been a small part of it today. God bless you all!

New York Cares claims to be the largest non-profit organization in the city. I know it's one…read moreorganization that helps the youth and any one else that needs assistance for whatever reason. When I worked in social services I referred many people and youth to their offices. NY Cares is a great place to volunteer or work off community service requirements! You can do anything from serving food to tutoring children. I'm highly recommending you contact them when you are in need or if you want to volunteer.

While NYCares is known for giving coats to the homeless, there are many ways to volunteer with…read morethem. I love being outdoors and I was fortunate enough to assist replanting in Riverside Park. It was hard work planting on a hill but it gave me a new found respect for landscapers and plant life. I have a tendency to complain about being couped up inside all day so why not get outdoors and make my time meaningful. The New York Cares host Jared was very welcoming. He was also informative about their other initiatives and he frequently checked on my planting skills. I have volunteered with a few agencies around the city and new york cares and I rate them high with the awesome works they are providing to different areas of need. Thanks to them I am a horticulture expert. Ok maybe not! But it was a rewarding experience.

This is a neighborhood social service nonprofit agency that offers multiple services to the…read morecommunity. They offer everything from home buying seminars, job search assistance as well as help with SNAP applications. The staff is professional and friendly. Very necessary community resource.

This is a fantastic nonprofit! I attended their homebuyer seminar for moderate and low income folks…read moreand learned a huge amount of helpful information over two classes for only 40 dollars. They also provide mortgage counseling and advisory services to make sure you're looking for the right options for your budget and goals, getting the best deals, and not falling into the hands of predatory lenders. Amazing place!

GrowNYC + Uptown Grand Central partner together to bring our neighborhood an affordable CSA bag…read moreeach week. It's a tiered price, ranging $14-20. We pay $20 and it's an amazing deal still. They are out there, really, Carey is every week, rain, shine or snowstorm. You don't have to subscribe to a whole season so it's very flexible. You can also get fresh eggs, bread, baked goodies and other pantry necessities each week. They're practicing good covid safety with distanced line spacing and masks and gloves for all the workers. In pre-covid times they also had composting. That's on hold for now. An incredible non-profit to donate to as well!

Common Ground's mission is a simple yet noble one, one that seeks an end all to international…read morehomelessness. Founded almost 20 years ago, they've become a leader in providing housing to the needy and creating programs for rehabilitating the homeless community. One thing I find most impressive, is they've been able to acquire properties within Manhattan and convert them into buildings for low income housing. Some are former hotels, or old apartment complexes that have been renovated for individuals who could otherwise not afford to live in the neighborhood. These places are not shabby either, complete with doormen, with spacious and new rooms, and even a super impressive lobby at some properties. The competition to get into one of these units is fierce and the application process essentially outlines one's income and need / desire to live in any given place. When there are organizations out there that make such a difference in local communities I can't help but simply be in awe. I'm all for eliminating the homeless problem (especially in New York City) and would certainly consider this organization if I ever found myself in a dire spot to choose from living in the streets or living in one of these fantastic properties.

Very respectable here ! Very clean and honest people working here! They have 3 feeding times listed…read moreand dinner is at 5:30 pm , they have table seating inside ..

But for the grace of God go any of us. The blood red doors, blood red, it's said, for a reason…read more The firm I joined early two years back now volunteers. That meant a great deal to me but I never had found the time to go. Today I found that time. One reason I went was in direct response to the SNAP benefits cruel debacle. This, I thought was better than marching - walking beside and offering a helping hand. Mercy, empathy and compassion are the marrow in the national spine - the international backbone. What was to have been an act of personal protest morphed into something unexpectedly different. We've become an outwardly more calloused land of late, where selfishness and insensitivity are worn like badges of honor. They're not; they're a stain on our image to the world - worse: to ourselves. I didn't do much day except hand out chips and offer supportive subtle enthusiasm. No one will remember me nor should they - I was fortunate enough to arrive and depart as a day tripper. But it's the faces that haunted me. You never knew what lead each man and woman there or what their fate would ultimately be. Yet here we were. Crossing fates in the same hall. And there was this unspeakably overwhelming sense as nearly two hundred hungry souls filed by us as we doled out chips and hot dogs and apples that we the dilettantes were happy to do. I felt we stood at the edge of a vast sea of unknowable suffering - that our few hours were a drop of living kindness, as the Buddhists call it, in this sea that's always threatened to drown the world. I can't put my finger on this sense of today except to say I'll return to learn perhaps a greater understanding. And the staff. They reminded me of that humbled awe I felt for 9/11 and covid first responders. I may not change a single life for the better except mine handing out child but I know that offering a helping hand to those struggling in need is what defines humanity and defies inhumanity. I'm grateful I experienced this. And even catching the glimpse of so many as they passed was a bracing wake up call to what's really going on. Thank you.