Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen, the largest soup kitchen in New York State, has launched a coronavirus hot meal distribution campaign that aims to connect New Yorkers who lack reliable access to sufficient quantities of nutritious food with already-prepared hot meals.
The campaign is inspired by national emergency food response efforts during the last two decades of natural disasters. By partnering with local culinary figures who have contributed their time and talent to relief efforts after Hurricane Sandy, Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen will be able to continue serving hot meals to New Yorkers who have come to rely on the soup kitchen for sustenance, while also expanding to feed and sustain residents who will increasingly feel financial constraints from business closures and cut-backs.
Providing large quantities of nutritious, hot meals will require assembling and activating a network of food providers, meal delivery programs, and possibly even food trucks to ensure meal outreach programs reach those in need, but in a way that is safe and still contributes to COVID-19 (coronavirus) containment efforts.
Ginger Pierce, the executive chef for Jams Restaurant at the 1 Hotel Central Park in New York City, is spearheading the culinary outreach, streamlining food donations from restaurants to the soup kitchen, enlisting skills-based volunteers to support the soup kitchen’s immediate needs, while addressing the impact on the hospitality industry. “Although we are all hurting now, the hospitality sector is in a unique place to combine resources and come together for our community,” says Pierce, one of the soup kitchen’s longstanding culinary partners. She goes on to add, “The [food] supply chain is there, and we have a workforce of people, many wanting to make meaningful contributions. It’s about connecting our contacts and resources, to help sustain and potentially expand a program that is needed now more than ever.”
During the campaign, the soup kitchen aims to raise $1MM, which goes directly towards feeding the families and individuals who will feel the effects of this crisis long after the pandemic is over. As a first responder in emergency food services, the soup kitchen serves families with children, senior citizens, employed adults struggling to make ends meet, veterans, individuals experiencing homelessness, and anyone in need of food and support. As more employees in the hospitality and service industries are without their regular income from paychecks or tips, the soup kitchen anticipates seeing a steady increase in the number of people who seek out its services.
“Smaller soup kitchens across the City are being forced to close up shop not only because of limited financial resources, but also to protect their volunteers who are often elderly and most at-risk should they be exposed to someone with the virus,” explains Michael Ottley, Chief Operating Officer at the soup kitchen. “At the same time, we know we’re going to see a drastic uptick in need over the coming months, or even years, and we’re going to need the support of the broader New York City community to ensure our most vulnerable neighbors can weather the long-lasting economic effects of this crisis.” The arrival of the coronavirus has brought a new season of need for millions of New Yorkers who will imminently join the ranks of the approximate 1 million residents who are food-insecure and struggling with poverty. People who want to support the campaign can text “FEEDNYC” to 44321 to make a donation, or visit the soup kitchen’s website.
Last week, Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen announced modified meal outreach and social services programming in response to growing concern surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. Effective Monday, March 16, through at least April 6, Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen has temporarily suspended its volunteer program and the limited number of soup kitchen staff will be preparing and distributing meals in the outdoor courtyard of the Church of the Holy Apostles every weekday from 10:30 A.M. to 12:30 P.M.
Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen continues to monitor the evolving situation on a daily basis and remains nimble and flexible in its response to ensure both the safety and care of its guests, volunteers, and staff while also staying true to its mission to feed the hungry, comfort the afflicted, seek justice for people experiencing homelessness, and providing hope and opportunity to those in need.
“The soup kitchen is proud of its long-standing reputation as a cornerstone in the Chelsea community and we do not take lightly the decision to modify our programming,” said the Reverend Dr. Anna S. Pearson, Executive Director of the Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen. “We are taking these precautions to protect all members of our community, while also recognizing many of our guests do not have the means to stock up on groceries. When your bank account is near zero or you don’t have your own place to call home, planning for a global pandemic is almost impossible and the only food many of our guests eat is the meal they get here. We remain committed to our vital role in sustaining our neighbors who are struggling with hunger and poverty throughout this crisis.”
In addition to its daily meal service, Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen also administers a Backpack Pantry Program, which provides healthy, non-perishable food for weekend meals when local schools and other soup kitchens are closed. It serves 143 households consisting of senior citizens living on fixed incomes as well as families with P.S. 33 school children who have been identified as living in shelters. The program will continue, with pre-packaged pantry items being distributed inside the landmark building once a week. Soup kitchen staff are in communication with neighborhood schools, senior centers, and nearby public housing complexes as it rolls out its modified meal programming.
In its 38-year history, Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen has not missed a day of meal service, including in the aftermath of the 1990 parish fire, during the power outage and city-wide havoc caused by Hurricane Sandy, and after the tragic September 11th terrorist attacks. Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen remains committed to continuing this trend through the present medical crisis and remains in close contact with its nonprofit partners and city and state leadership. The soup kitchen continues to implement best practices which limit the risk of spreading the virus to our staff, volunteers, guests, and surrounding community.
Currently, 1.6 million New Yorkers are living in poverty and 1.1 million New Yorkers – nearly 13% of all residents – lack reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food. According to Food Bank for New York City, these New Yorkers fell short of an adequate diet by 208 million meals last year. Between 2018 and 2019 alone, Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen saw a 32% increase in participation in its emergency food programs, serving over 80,000 more meals than the previous year.
Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen is the largest soup kitchen in New York City, providing over 1,000 meals each weekday to residents who are struggling with hunger, poverty, and homelessness. Founded in 1982, the soup kitchen operates in the landmark sanctuary of the Church of the Holy Apostles and offers programs that nourish the body as well as the soul. In addition to meals, guests have access to social services support and workshops that help them navigate toward improved health, housing and jobs. For more information, visit website
