Get Involved — Volunteer

Volunteers are the heart of our whole operation.

From packing lunches to serving a hot meal, distributing pantry bags of food to passing out haircut vouchers, it is our volunteers who enable us to be here for our guests.

SOUP KITCHEN & PANTRY

You can sign up to volunteer any weekday.

Sign up for an available shift on hask.volunteerhub.com. We have shifts available Monday-Friday from 9:15am-1:15pm, and on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 1pm-3pm.

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Every Weekday

9 am – 1 pm | Volunteer Shift

Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays

1 pm – 3 pm | Additional Shift

ABOUT our volunteer program

Dignity and respect served daily.

Every weekday at 10:30am, hundreds of hungry and homeless New Yorkers receive a warm, nutritious meal at Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen. But at 9AM, another crowd is gathering: volunteers who will make sure that happens. One of the most important things we do is treat our guests with dignity and respect, and as a volunteer, this is part of your job too.

Volunteer

Volunteer Groups

Volunteers at Holy Apostles are critical partners in combatting hunger for our New York City neighbors in need. Corporations, schools, community groups, and faith-based organizations join us from across the City and around the world to provide nutritious food, social services, and a sense of community to hundreds of guests who pass through our doors. Use the form to the right to begin organizing meaningful team-building experiences while creating lasting impact in the local community.

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FAQS
When can I volunteer?

We are the largest emergency food program in New York City and serve 1,000 meals every weekday morning through the Soup Kitchen and 1000+ families each week through the pantry. You can volunteer any day, Monday-Friday, from 9am until 1pm. On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, you can also volunteer from 1pm until 3pm.

How do I sign up?

If you are an individual you can sign up here by selecting your volunteering date in advance. We also welcome groups from companies, schools, churches, and other organizations. For group bookings, please contact us at [email protected].

How do I get to the soup kitchen?

Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen is located at 296 Ninth Avenue (on the corner of 28th Street) in Manhattan in the landmark Church of the Holy Apostles. We are easily accessible from most public transportation. You can take the C/E train to 23rd Street and 8th Avenue or take the 1 train to 28th and 7th Avenue. We are just four short blocks from Penn Station, and within walking distance from Port Authority Bus Terminal. You can also reach us by taking the M11 bus, which runs south on 9th Avenue, or the M10, which runs north on 8th Avenue.

Why volunteer?

You will be making a difference in many lives! Our guests often tell us that the friendly greetings and warm smiles of volunteers and staff brighten their day. Volunteering is a great way to give back and to meet new people from all walks of life. Volunteers come from all the boroughs of New York City, different states, and even different countries. From those who come every day to those who just visit once, volunteers always have an inspiring and memorable experience.

Do I need special skills or training?

No special skills are needed. We also welcome young people to volunteer, but children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

How big can my group be?

Group sizes are usually between 6-8 people, but we can accommodate groups of almost any size. For more information about groups and group bookings please contact us at [email protected].

Can I make a donation to help the soup kitchen?

We are supported by the generosity of individuals and organizations in New York City, State and beyond. Financial donations are gratefully accepted and you can make a donation in advance or on the day you volunteer.

Learn more about ways to donate

What will my volunteering day be like?

There are two options for volunteering: Soup Kitchen & Pantry. When you arrive at the Soup Kitchen for your shift, you will receive instructions from our staff.

Soup Kitchen volunteers fill 600-700 lunch bags that include a salad, a hot meal, a pierce of fruit, juice, and a snack. Some volunteers help distribute the combined bag to our lunch guests from the outside courtyard. Also during the Soup Kitchen shift, volunteers help to pack 3 full bags of Pantry, that include non-perishables, produce, and frozen protein items. These bags are distributed during the Pantry shift later.

Pantry volunteers place bags in the carts of our Pantry clients, in order for them to be carted home. Some volunteers will also work at the registration table, greeting and registering our guests.

What should I wear?

There are no specific requirements, but volunteers should wear something they don’t mind getting dirty. Shoes with a good grip are also important in case of spillages or wet floors. All volunteers are issued a disposable apron, hat, and gloves — if you’d like to wear a cap or hat of your own, that’s fine too.

During this time, to maintain the safety of our volunteers, guests, and staff we are requiring that volunteers wear a surgical or reusable mask to reduce the risk of exposure. Masks must cover both the mouth and the nose.

The soup kitchen has ample amounts of masks and latex gloves, which can be provided at the beginning of a volunteer’s shift. However, we do ask that staff and volunteers commit to wearing their masks on public transportation to and from their volunteer shift and at all other times when social distancing is not possible.

Where can I store my belongings?

We provide lockers for volunteers to store their belongings in. Our staff holds the keys to the lockers, but everyone is ultimately responsible for the safety of their possessions, so please bring only what you need.

I’m doing community service. How many hours of credit will I be awarded?

A morning at the Soup Kitchen equals 3.5 hours of volunteering credit. An afternoon shift is 2 hours of volunteering credit. For more information on community services credit, please contact our volunteer services manager in advance at [email protected].

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Church of the Holy Apostles

We are an open, inclusive Christian Church celebrating in the Episcopal tradition.

Sunday Service is held 11AM (on site and via livestream). Weekday services are held on Zoom.

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For Newcomers

Learn about our faith community and explore ways to connect with our work and worship.

Sermons

Reflections on Holy Scripture from our Clergy.

History

Founded in 1844, with a focus on social activism and the desire for social justice.

Clergy, Staff & Vestry

The Vestry is the governing body of the Church of the Holy Apostles.

MUSIC

Music commands a strong presence at the Church of the Holy Apostles.

Space Rental

Host your next meeting or event in our landmark building.

Soup Kitchen & Pantry

Nourishing hungry New Yorkers since 1982 in an atmosphere of respect and hospitality.

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Daily meal service

Serving a free, nutritious meal every weekday from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm.

Meal outreach

Distributing bagged breakfasts and lunches throughout Chelsea and Hell’s Kitchen.

About the soup kitchen

Learn more about our mission, our history, our performance, who we are, and what we do.

Pantry Program

Providing fresh and nutritious groceries to food-insecure New Yorkers.

Sunday Supper

Bridging generations and building community over a monthly family style meal.

Give Layers of Love this Winter

Help Keep Our Guests Warm this Winter.

Social Support

Meeting basic needs, stabilizing lives, and supporting individuals and families to achieve their goals.

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SOCIAL SERVICES

Addressing the needs of the whole person through basic needs, counseling, and referrals.

Classes

Offering learning and skill-building opportunities.

Community Partnership

Partnering with others to expand the services offered to our guests.

Get Involved

Holy Apostles is a great place to channel your time, talents and generosity for good.

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Volunteer

Make a difference in the lives of New Yorkers experiencing homelessness and hunger.

Partner

Join our efforts to serve others and provide for people who are vulnerable.

Donate

Your gift provides food, community, and hope to New Yorkers in need.

The Latest

Stay up-to-date on all happenings at Holy Apostles.

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Food For The Soul

The official blog of Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen.

Voices of Our Community

Guest stories, poetry, and more.

EVENTS

See our calendar of events.

Church Pulpit Posts

Read weekly meditations written by our clergy.

Newsroom

Holy Apostles in the news.