210 West 31st Street
New York, New York 10001

Contact: Reverend Francis J. Gasparik, O.F.M. Cap. Executive Director
Joseph Sano, Managing Director

Direct: 212-279-6171
Friary: 212-564-9070 ext. 243
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
www.capuchin.org

Statement:

The Capuchin Food Pantries’ statistics tell an important story in terms of the profound impact of the Food Pantries in alleviating conditions, which can at best be described as unbearable. Our food pantries distribute over one million meals per year!

The Capuchin Food Pantries are based out of the Capuchin Mission Office on 31st. Street in Midtown Manhattan. We have six additional locations in Harlem, Lower Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx and Long Island. The food pantries help feed over 3,000 poor families in New York. The pantries distribute free clothing, diapers and toiletries. We also have a breakfast program at the Miracle House on 14th Street. Food bags are carefully balanced to provide a minimum of four days nourishment to each person served. This, in most cases, is the difference between having enough to eat or going to bed hungry. No food bags would mean a serious nutritional shortfall, especially for the children. There are also full-time Social workers to serve our client’s needs.

In addition, the Capuchin Food Pantries host a number of holiday meals and parties throughout the year. In December, we have several Holiday parties for underprivileged children and their families, providing food, games, entertainment and presents for the children. In February, there is our annual “Thanksgiving in February Party” for over 1,000 people in need. We also have back-to-school parties and barbeques for children in the Bronx and Manhattan at the end of July and August.

The Capuchin Food Pantries are able to accomplish this through the hard work and dedication of its volunteers, who take pleasure in helping those who are less fortunate than most of us. The volunteers actively solicit funds, unload trucks, sort and bag food, maintain inventory records, register and cheerfully serve families in a caring and loving atmosphere, so that those served never feel demeaned in having to resort to a food pantry for most of their needs.

Staff and social workers unite to serve our clients’ needs which range from employment training to interventions for addictions and/or abuse.

Since the events of September 11th, the number of people in need of our help has increased due to unemployment and cut backs in traditional sources of aid.