We are here to feed the hungry.
Trinity's Services And Food for the Homeless (or SAFH, pronounced "safe") started out as a response to the homeless living in and around Tompkins Square Park close to 40 years ago.
And while the neighborhood of the East Village has changed dramatically these past decades, the need in this community has not. The number of people in our community who are food insecure has only grown.
We will be here to feed all who are hungry and help all who come through our doors.
A place at the table.
We believe that access to food is a human right.
Our mission is four-fold:
- To provide a reliable source of food for those who are hungry
- To support good nutrition through our meals and with education
- To offer connections to other services
- To strengthen community through shared service
Through our daily soup kitchen and food pantry, we serve around 200,000 meals annually. Our referral center connects families and individuals to services throughout the five boroughs.
We are programmatically connected to Trinity Lower East Side Lutheran Parish, but separately incorporated with our own board and separate finances.
People of every background, race, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, religion, and of any age may enjoy the meal without fear of being turned away.
Fresh, healthy food.
Many of the families and individuals who come to soup kitchens and food pantries are already vulnerable to a lack of access to a balanced diet, whether because of food scarcity, or living in a food desert.
The food offered in our Soup Kitchen and Food Pantry is always a healthy mix of all of the basic food groups. We offer many fresh fruits and vegetables to our customers so that they have the same nutrition available to them that makes for healthy eating.
When possible, we also strive to provide food that is locally grown.