Where To Find Free Grab-And-Go Meals In Lower Manhattan

With temperatures dropping and COVID-19 cases rising as New York City enters its second wave of the pandemic, New Yorkers shouldn’t also have to worry about where to find their next meal. NYC public schools shuttered on Thursday, November 19, but the Department of Education’s grab-and-go lunch program — which the city set up back in March, the first time schools closed due to the pandemic — is still in effect.

Even when school buildings are closed, free meals are still available at @NYCSchools Meal Hubs. Find sites and hours: https://t.co/4uHUZgguqV pic.twitter.com/fHI8d3NowG

— City of New York (@nycgov) November 19, 2020

Families can pick up three free meals daily, Monday through Friday from 9a to 12p at public schools citywide. And the program doesn’t just apply to folks affected by the school shutdown: The DOE also provides complimentary “community meals” for all New Yorkers, available to-go on weekdays from 3p to 5p at select locations around the city, including schools, grocery stores and food pantries. 

Below you can find a list of schools in or near Lower Manhattan that are providing free meals. Or search here for school grab-and-go locations near you and community meal hubs via this map.

Lower Manhattan grab-and-go meal hubs:

Battery Park City School

55 Battery Place

 

Stuyvesant High School

345 Chambers Street

 

P.S. 001 Alfred E. Smith

8 Henry Street

 

P.S. 343 Peck Slip School

1 Peck Slip

 

P.S. 126 Jacob August Riis

80 Catherine Street

 

P.S. 397 Spruce St. School

12 Spruce Street

 

P.S. 130 Hernando De Soto

143 Baxter Street

Also of note: If you’re looking for where to find halal or kosher meals specifically, you can see those options listed on the DOE website. No one is required to register or show ID, but all meals are to-go only — no onsite dining permitted. 

Program sites will be closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, but thankfully, New Yorkers can pick up free frozen Thanksgiving dinners on November 23, 24 and 25 from 3p to 5p at select locations.     

photo: nycmayorsoffice