Nourish Emergency Food Assistance Program

Recent findings by the Robin Hood Foundation highlight the severity of hunger and poverty in New York City, revealing that one in five residents faces food insecurity. This reality underscores the critical need for robust safety net programs like Nourish. By bridging the gap between food supply and community demand, Nourish helps mitigate the immediate and long-term consequences of hunger, including negative health outcomes and barriers to academic and economic success. Families and individuals who benefit from this program often credit Nourish with helping them maintain stability in other areas of life—such as housing, healthcare, and education—by reducing the financial burden of food costs.

Central to Nourish’s success is its emphasis on providing fresh produce, non-perishable goods, and culturally appropriate food items. Recognizing the diverse backgrounds and culinary traditions of our recipients, MSS tailors its offerings to respect each individual’s cultural identity. By going beyond a standardized “one-size-fits-all” approach, the Nourish program upholds MSS’s core values of dignity and inclusion, ensuring recipients feel genuinely supported rather than merely served.

A robust volunteer corps and strong partnerships form the backbone of the Nourish Emergency Food Assistance program. Volunteers sort, pack, and distribute food, while also offering a compassionate, personal touch for community members in need. Alliances with the Food Bank of NYC, Met Council, United Way of NYC, Community Food Connection, and numerous local masjids and churches bolster our supply chain—ensuring a reliable stream of nutritionally balanced items and maximizing the impact of every donated dollar and resource.

MSS remains committed to expanding Nourish’s reach and deepening its impact. Upcoming plans include exploring additional pantry locations, adopting innovative food distribution methods, and strengthening nutrition education initiatives to empower community members with knowledge about healthy food choices. In alignment with MSS’s guiding principles—empowerment, equity, innovation, collaboration, responsiveness, accountability, and compassion—Nourish will continue to serve as a lifeline for communities in need, providing both immediate relief and paving the way for lasting, transformative change.