→ City Harvest Mobile Markets
Community members gather in farmers’ market settings, where they receive fresh produce and participate in cooking demonstrations to learn how to make healthy meals. Bi-monthly food distributions at sites that are fully operated by members of the community they serve. See above link for borough-specific information.
→ Local Food Pantries
These local food pantries are places where you can obtain food for yourself and your family, or donate food for your fellow community members.
→ City Harvest
Know someone who’s looking for food? We’ve created a map of locations where food is accessible and free of charge across the five boroughs. This map is updated weekly and features our Mobile Markets, Emergency Food Distribution Sites, and Community Partner Distributions, as well as other food distribution locations supported by the city and local businesses. View the map.
→ Get Covered NYC
Free information on health Insurance information and enrollment assistance online or over the phone. During the annual Open Enrollment Period, from November 1 – January 31, most New Yorkers can enroll in new coverage or change their existing coverage. You can call 311 or text CoveredNYC (SeguroNYC en Español) to 877877 to be connected to a GetCoveredNYC Specialist and receive free enrollment assistance. Click on link above for online application.
→ Neighborhood Opportunity Network (NeON)
The Neighborhood Opportunity Network, launched in 2011, has earned national recognition. NeON is a philosophy of effective intervention that physically manifests itself as a citywide network of community-based centers in the seven neighborhoods of NYC where large concentrations of people on probation reside. Each NeON has a local Stakeholder Group, open to the community at large, and usually comprised of a diverse array of community members, including members of local community-based organizations, clergy, local business owners. At NeONs, people under supervision can meet with their Probation Officers and receive a wide range of services such as HSE classes, employment preparation, mentoring, healthcare, literacy programs, and also participate in arts and sport programming (selected by the Stakeholder Groups as being particularly relevant to their communities) – much of which is also free and open to other neighborhood residents.
Food, rent and utilities are expensive. And, many New Yorkers struggle to feed their families. That’s why the Department of Probation has opened five NeON Nutrition Kitchens throughout the city. When you visit a NeON Nutrition Kitchen, you’ll get free, nutritious groceries and great service from our friendly staff. Click here to learn more about the NeON Nutrition Kitchen Community Day Food Distribution and the hours and locations.
→ NYC Free Tax Prep
Find out how you can help provide free tax assistance to your fellow New Yorkers as part of the NYC Free Tax Prep program.
→ Half-Price MetroCards for Student Veterans
An initiative to provide half-price MetroCards for more than 12,000 veterans enrolled in NYC colleges
→ Fair Fares NYC MetroCard
Using the Fair Fares NYC MetroCard, eligible New York City residents receive a 50% discount on subway and eligible bus fares. As of Fall 2019, certain CUNY students, those currently receiving SNAP and/or Cash Assistance from NYC HRA or NYCHA residents whose annual income is below the federal poverty level (see aforementioned links) may be potentially eligible. Read the FAQs or visit a Fair Fares Location in your borough to learn more about your eligibility. Apply through your ACCESS HRA account online . If you need assistance or have questions, please call 311.
→ Education Debt Consumer Assistance Program
EDCAP is a program of the Community Service Society of New York (CSS). It was created to help New Yorkers struggling with student debt navigate the student loan repayment system and regain financial health. For more than 175 years, the Community Service Society has been the leading voice on behalf of low-income New Yorkers and continues to advocate for the economic security of the working poor. CSS responds to urgent, contemporary challenges with applied research, advocacy, litigation, and innovative program models that help the working poor achieve a better quality of life and promote a more prosperous city and state. For more information about CSS and the work it does, visit www.cssny.org.
Hunter College Emergency Support and Additional Resources
→ Emergency Support and Resources
Hunter College is dedicated to the health, wellness and safety of our student body. The above link contains information and resources available to all currently enrolled students including a Food Pantry and stipends, emergency funding, legal immigration consultations among other resources.
→ The Purple Apron
In order to support our students, the Division of Student Affairs provides one bag of groceries that will accommodate about four meals free of charge via the Purple Apron food pantry. Bags will be distributed at the Hunter College (68th Street) campus. The Purple Apron is open to all currently enrolled Hunter students. No sign-up required. Walk-ins welcome. Hunter ID is required for entry.
→ Welfare Rights Initiative
Welfare Rights Initiative (WRI) is a student advocacy and leadership training organization located at Hunter College. WRI aims to support you in understanding how to make the best use of law and policy changes regarding public assistance to continue your college studies. WRI is located at Hunter College in the North Building, Room 302. Click the link above to learn about walk-in hours and how to make an appointment.
→ Resource Guide for DACA Students
*Please note the above resources are subject to change without notice. Please refer directly to hunter.cuny.edu website for aforementioned campus- related programs and navigate directly to external links for community-based programs.