16 verified resources.
Food assistance programs for US fathers and families include SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly food stamps), WIC (Women, Infants, and Children — which serves custodial fathers of children under 5), the National School Lunch Program, food banks through the Feeding America network, and Meals on Wheels. SNAP is administered state-by-state; eligibility is generally based on household income below 130% of the Federal Poverty Level. Food banks operate in every state and are the fastest way to access food without an application — most require no ID or income verification for initial visits. TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program) supplies food banks with USDA commodities. Summer Food Service Programs feed children during school breaks. This directory includes each state's SNAP office, regional food bank networks, and WIC clinics.
New York has separate Family Court (for custody, support, paternity, DV) and Supreme Court (for divorce) systems. NYC's Family Court operates in all five boroughs. The Office of Child Support Services runs enforcement. NYC, Buffalo, Rochester, Yonkers, and Syracuse are the major metros. Legal Aid Society of NYC, New York Legal Assistance Group, and Legal Services NYC provide substantial family law aid.
Apply for SNAP food assistance through NY OTDA. Find your local office, check eligibility, and apply online at otda.ny.gov. Call (800) 342-3009 Mon–Fri 8am–5pm. Emergency SNAP available for households facing crisis. Benefits load onto an EBT card for use at grocery stores and farmers markets. Income eligibility varies by household size. Average benefit is over 50/month per household.
(800) 342-3009 · Mon–Fri 8am–5pm · Visit Website
New York's largest food relief organization, distributing 141 million meals annually. Provides SNAP enrollment assistance, a food pantry and soup kitchen locator for all five boroughs, and nutrition education. Call (212) 566-7855 Mon–Fri 9am–4:30pm. Email snap@foodbanknyc.org. Located at 39 Broadway, New York. Use the online pantry finder at foodbanknyc.org to locate the nearest distribution site.
(212) 566-7855 · 39 Broadway, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10006 · Mon–Fri 9am–4:30pm · Visit Website
Free SNAP enrollment assistance provided by Food Bank for NYC. Trained counselors help NYC residents complete applications, gather required documents, and navigate the process over the phone. Call (212) 894-8060 Mon–Fri 9am–4:30pm. Email snap@foodbanknyc.org. No appointment needed to call. Service is free and available in multiple languages. Helps expedite applications for qualifying households in crisis.
(212) 894-8060 · Mon–Fri 9am–4:30pm · Visit Website
Distributes millions of pounds of food annually to soup kitchens, food pantries, and shelters in 23 northeastern NY counties. Located at 965 Albany Shaker Road, Latham. Call (518) 786-3691 Mon–Fri 8am–4pm. Use the partner locator at regionalfoodbank.net to find your nearest food pantry or meal program. Serves Albany, Columbia, Greene, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, and surrounding counties.
(518) 786-3691 · 965 Albany Shaker Road, Latham, NY 12110 · Mon–Fri 8am–4pm · Visit Website
Regional food bank serving Buffalo and Western New York. Food pantry locator, mobile food distributions, and SNAP enrollment assistance for Erie, Niagara, Cattaraugus, and Chautauqua counties. Located at 91 Holt Street, Buffalo. Call (716) 822-0098 Mon–Fri 8am–4:30pm. Visit feedmorewny.org to find your nearest food pantry or distribution site. No registration needed at most partner agencies.
(716) 822-0098 · 91 Holt Street, Buffalo, NY 14206 · Mon–Fri 8am–4:30pm · Visit Website
Statewide SNAP enrollment assistance and advocacy organization. Helpline at (844) 366-3435 connects callers to local SNAP application assistance in their county. Serves all NY counties. Email SNAPHelp@HungerSolutionsNY.org Mon–Fri 9am–5pm. Also provides SNAP outreach training for community organizations. Free service for individuals needing help navigating the SNAP application and renewal process.
(844) 366-3435 · Mon–Fri 9am–5pm · Visit Website
Supplemental nutrition program for pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and children up to age 5. Provides free food benefits, breastfeeding support, and nutrition education. Call (800) 522-5006 or visit health.ny.gov/wic to find a clinic. Apply through your county health department. Bring ID, proof of income, and pregnancy or medical documentation. Income guidelines apply for eligibility.
(800) 522-5006 · Varies by clinic · Visit Website
USDA-funded federal program distributing free shelf-stable and perishable food to eligible low-income New Yorkers through food banks and local distribution agencies. Administered by NY OGS statewide. Find your nearest TEFAP distribution site at ogs.ny.gov. No registration required at most sites — bring a bag and photo ID. Distribution hours and locations vary by county and season.
Varies by site · Visit Website
NYC public school students receive free breakfast and lunch every school day at no cost regardless of family income. All students qualify — no application or eligibility proof needed. Call (718) 935-5100 or visit schools.nyc.gov for menu and meal program information. Summer meals are also available at locations across the city. Free school meals ensure children are fed regardless of a family's financial situation.
(718) 935-5100 · School hours · Visit Website
NYC's largest food rescue organization, distributing 75+ million pounds of food annually through mobile markets, community food partners, and food pantries across all five boroughs. Located at 150 52nd St., Brooklyn. Call (646) 412-0600 Mon–Fri 9am–5pm. Use the food finder at cityharvest.org to locate a mobile market or partner pantry near you. Free food distribution for anyone in need.
(646) 412-0600 · 150 52nd St., Brooklyn, NY 11232 · Mon–Fri 9am–5pm · Visit Website
Regional food bank serving Nassau and Suffolk counties on Long Island through 600+ member agencies. Located at 10 Davids Dr., Hauppauge. Call (631) 582-3663 Mon–Fri 8am–4pm. Use the food pantry locator at licares.org to find your nearest distribution site. Also offers SNAP enrollment assistance and mobile pantry visits to underserved areas. No registration required at most partner pantry locations.
(631) 582-3663 · 10 Davids Dr., Hauppauge, NY 11788 · Mon–Fri 8am–4pm · Visit Website
Regional food bank serving 10 counties in the Rochester and Finger Lakes region. Located at 1999 Mt. Read Blvd., Rochester. Call (585) 328-3380 Mon–Fri 8am–5pm. Food pantry network, mobile markets, and SNAP enrollment outreach available. Use the food pantry locator at foodlinkny.org to find a site near you in Monroe, Chemung, Livingston, Ontario, Orleans, and surrounding counties.
(585) 328-3380 · 1999 Mt. Read Blvd., Rochester, NY 14615 · Mon–Fri 8am–5pm · Visit Website
Regional food bank serving 11 Central NY counties including Onondaga, Madison, Cayuga, and Cortland. Located at 7066 Interstate Island Rd., Syracuse. Call (315) 437-1899 Mon–Fri 8am–4pm. Emergency food distribution, mobile pantries, and BackPack programs for food-insecure children. Find a partner food pantry near you at foodbankcny.org. No registration required at most distribution sites.
(315) 437-1899 · 7066 Interstate Island Rd., Syracuse, NY 13209 · Mon–Fri 8am–4pm · Visit Website
Home-delivered meals and wellness check programs for homebound seniors and disabled individuals across New York State. Meals are delivered to the home Mon–Fri by trained volunteers. Contact your local Area Agency on Aging or dial 2-1-1 to connect with a Meals on Wheels program in your county. Free or low-cost depending on income. Volunteers also provide brief friendly check-ins during deliveries.
211 · Programs statewide · Deliveries Mon–Fri · Visit Website
Serves 7 counties in the Hudson Valley including Orange, Rockland, Sullivan, Dutchess, Putnam, Ulster, and Westchester with food distribution through partner agencies. Located at 195 US Route 9W, Cornwall-on-Hudson. Call (845) 534-5344 Mon–Fri 8am–4pm. Find your nearest food pantry or meal program at foodbankofhudsonvalley.org. No registration needed at most partner sites — just bring ID.
(845) 534-5344 · 195 US Route 9W, Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY 12520 · Mon–Fri 8am–4pm · Visit Website
Affordable fresh produce boxes available at greenmarkets across NYC for
(212) 788-7476 · Multiple NYC greenmarket sites · Varies by market · Visit Website