40+ Food Pantries for New York Shutdown Aid

The ongoing federal government shutdown isn’t just freezing paychecks, it’s emptying pantries.

Across the country, food banks are seeing a surge in demand as millions of Americans brace for the possible loss of food assistance. Here in New York, more than three million residents could lose their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits if the shutdown continues into November. That includes over 36,000 people in Oneida County who rely on that aid to feed their families.

In Utica, the impact is already showing. Lines formed outside the Utica Food Pantry before it even opened this week, as people worried about what happens if their benefits stop. Thankfully, there are still local resources ready to help. Anyone in need can call 211 or visit the 211 website to find food pantry or food bank locations in Oneida, Herkimer, Madison, and Otsego Counties.

Here’s where to find help in your community:

Helping Hands Food Pantry - ProgramBoonville Methodist Church

202 Main Street, Boonville, NY
Provides a food pantry to individuals in need.

Matthew's Place Food Pantry and Thrift Shop - Agency

165 Main Street, Boonville, NY
Offers a food pantry to individuals and families in need. Coordinates a thrift store with clothing and household items for low-cost.

Brookfield Food Cupboard - Agency

Provides a food pantry to individuals in need. (Note: Search results suggest a pantry outside of NY, but this is the name provided in your list.)

Camden Area Food Pantry - ProgramCluster 13 Ministries

84 Main Street, Camden, NY
Provides a food pantry for individuals in need as well as other basic necessities, such as soap, laundry detergent, and diapers, when available.

Compassion Connection Food Pantry - ProgramThe Way Ministries

2659 Seneca Turnpike, Canastota, NY
Provides a food pantry for individuals in need.

Opportunity Shop Food Pantry - ProgramOpportunity Shop

128 East Center Street, Canastota, NY
Provides a food pantry to individuals in need.

CazCares Food Pantry and Fresh Food - ProgramCazCares

101 Nelson Street, Cazenovia, NY
Provides a food pantry and fresh food assistance to individuals in need.

Sullivan Food Cupboard - ProgramSullivan Food Cupboard

206½ Tuscarora Road, Chittenango, NY
Provides a food pantry to families and individuals in need.

The Country Pantry - Agency

7616 East South Street, Clark Mills, NY
Assists individuals and families once every month with a food distribution, on a drive through style, by providing enough food for 5 days.

DeRuyter Community Services - Agency

735 Utica Street, De Ruyter, NY
Offers a food pantry and free clothing closet for individuals in need.

Dolgeville Food Pantry - Agency

21 North Helmer Avenue, Dolgeville, NY
Provides a food pantry to individuals in need.

Town of Verona Food Pantry - ProgramTown of Verona

6600 Germany Road, Durhamville, NY
Provides a food pantry to individuals in need.

St. Patrick’s & St. Mary’s Food Pantry - Agency

9004 East River Road, Forestport, NY
Provides a food pantry to individuals in need.

St. James Church Mustard Seed Pantry - Agency

993 State Route 80, Georgetown, NY
Provides a food pantry, clothing, and household items to individuals in need.

Hamilton Food Cupboard - Agency

4000 Wings Way, Hamilton, NY
Provides a food pantry and Thanksgiving assistance to individuals and families in need. Offers hygiene items and cleaning supplies when available.

Salvation Army of Herkimer - Agency

431 North Prospect Street, Herkimer, NY
Provides a food pantry, soup kitchen, gleaning program, and Christmas assistance.

Foothills Food Pantry - ProgramFoothills Rural Community Ministry

7835 Church Street, Holland Patent, NY
Assists individuals and families once every month by providing enough food for 5 days.

Ilion-Frankfort Food Pantry - ProgramCatholic Charities of Herkimer County

60 West Street, Ilion, NY
Provides emergency and supplemental food to offering a pick-up or delivery meal on 11/26. Call for more information.

St. Joseph's Food Pantry - Agency

5748 Stokes Lee Center Road, Lee Center, NY
Provides a food pantry to individuals in need.

Little Falls Area Food Pantry - ProgramLittle Falls Youth & Family Center (formerly Little Falls YMCA)

45 Furnace Street, Little Falls, NY
Provides a 15 meal package of canned, fresh and frozen foods to eligible clients.

Mohawk Valley Church Food Pantry - Agency

9427 Maynard Drive, Marcy, NY
Assists individuals and families once every month by providing enough food.

Morrisville Community Church Food Pantry - Agency

3824 Swamp Road, Morrisville, NY
Provides a food pantry for individuals in need.

Kuyahoora Valley Food Pantry - ProgramKuyahoora Valley Food Pantry

8202 State Route 28, Newport, NY
Provides a food pantry to individuals in need. Will provide delivery on a case-by-case emergency situation.

Niccolls Memorial Presbyterian Church Food Pantry - Agency

228 Crosby Boulevard, Old Forge, NY
Provides a nonperishable item food pantry to individuals in need.

St. Bartholomew's Church of Old Forge Food Pantry - Agency

103 Crosby Boulevard, Old Forge, NY
Provides a food pantry for individuals in need. Offers delivery to LakeSide Housing as well as other individuals with enough notice.

Church on the Rock Food Pantry - ProgramChurch on the Rock

164 Madison Street, Oneida, NY
Provides a food pantry to individuals in need.

New Life Assembly of God Food Pantry - Agency

4704 State Route 365, Oneida, NY
Provides a food pantry to individuals in need.

Salvation Army of Madison County - Agency

Provides basic emergency assistance to residents of Madison County and operates in suburban and rural communities where no Salvation Army facility is present. Designed to provide emergency assistance for individuals and families who are in need of food, rent assistance, clothing, and utility assistance. Offers holiday and summer camps for qualifying individuals and families.

What New York Food Banks Truly Need But Never Ask For

Maybe you want to donate to local food banks. What do they truly need? This time of the year, I always think back to this famous AskReddit post on Reddit asking "People who work at or have needed to get food from a food bank, Whats the one food that you wish more people donated and why"? Inside this story, several great items came up that you would never think of.

Gallery Credit: Dave Wheeler