This article originally appeared on Pix 11 and was authored by Monica Morales.

HARLEM, Manhattan — Vanessa Greco, of Cathedral Community Cares at St. John Divine on 112th and Amsterdam avenues in Harlem, said without donations coming in, she fears she’ll have to start turning families away from her food pantry.

Her organization feeds over 180 families a week.

“The need now is more dire than ever,” said Greco, the outreach coordinator for the organization.

That’s the grim reality for so many food pantries across the city that have either had to shut down, or are just days away from closing their doors.

Online donations are the best way to donate right now and people can do so by visiting stjohndivine.org, or via Facebook @StJohnDivineNYC.

According to Met Council CEO David Greenfield — who runs an organization that distributes food to 149 food pantries across New York City — 32% of all food pantries in the city have already shut down, and it’s only going to get worse.

He said they’re seeing more families using pantries for the first time, due to a loss of a job.

“Its so much loss and devastation. We are trying to be there for people,” said Greenfield.

Greenfield said the Met Council joined forces with Uber to feed homebound older New Yorkers and Holocaust survivors. He said they’re in need of more volunteers. Click here for ways to donate, or to volunteer, email [email protected]

Meanwhile in the Bronx, Rev. Marilyn Oliver said her food pantry PIX11 helped revive back in December — feeding over 60 seniors at the Middletown plaza — is shut down and needs donations.

“We are are looking to open up our food pantry so our seniors can have nourishing food. We are looking for donations,” said Oliver.
Send donations or call Middletown Plaza Pop Up Food Pantry at (347) 948-0772.