Get Connected to the Community!
There are dozens of poverty and homeless relief organizations in Tompkins County who provide care and support for people in poor economic situations. Pocket Full of Change is dedicated to providing information about those relief organizations, and this directory, which will be updated as the blog grows in scope and scale, will reflect that commitment. Learn about the broader organizations or see our map of specific food pantry locations in the county below:
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Local Ithaca Non-Profits & Agencies
American Red Cross’ Homeless Services
The local Red Cross’ unique Homeless Services Program provides aid to the area’s homeless by providing emergency shelter, guidance with housing and homeless issues, eviction prevention information and more. The Red Cross serves people of all ages and situations, including young run-aways, the elderly, families in need or people with substance abuse or mental illness that have prompted their impoverished situations. The Red Cross’ ultimate goal is to help these people become financially independent and living in affordable housing. The building also hosts 24/7 food pantry services.
Address: 201 West Clinton St., Ithaca, NY 14850
Phone: (607)-273-1900
Email: info@tompkins-redcross.org
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Catholic Charities of Tompkins/Tioga
Catholic Charities strives to promote healthy individual and family life by working alongside community agencies and other faith-based organizations to push for local social justice and reduce poverty in the area. Serving primarily low- and moderate-income families and individuals, Catholic Charities provides a number of services, including a Samaritan Center that allows for short-term assistance to families like access to food, personal care products and clothing; and a Justice & Peace Ministry, comprised of community members working to enact public policies to benefit the local poor, advance education about poverty and advocate for better conditions.
Address: 324 West Buffalo St., Ithaca, NY 14850
Phone: (607)-272-5062
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Part of the Homeless Services division of the Tompkins County chapter of the Red Cross, the Friendship Center is a drop-in assistance location to support Ithaca’s homeless and less fortunate. The staff at the Friendship Center assists people who come in for support with searches for affordable housing and social benefits, disputes with landlords and access to employment information. They also provide hot coffee, free lunches and food resources and generally aim to provide a supportive environment for the underprivileged in Ithaca.
Address: 618 W. State St., Ithaca, NY 14850
Phone: (607)-273-6684
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Offering hot meals five days a week, twice a day, the local chapter of Loaves & Fishes offers hunger relief to at-risk or impoverished residents of Tompkins County, including the working poor, the unemployed, the underemployed, families with inadequate public assistance and the homeless. Staffed by a combination of full-time employees and volunteers, the kitchen also focuses on advocacy during mealtimes, meaning listening to Loaves & Fishes patrons and helping them get access to basic needs like housing, medical services, food and clothing. Its overall aim is to provide free meals, hospitality, companionship and advocacy for people of all faiths and all need levels.
Address: 210 North Cayuga St., Ithaca, NY 14850
Phone: (607)-272-5457
Email: info@loaves.org
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The United Way is a network of agencies and community councils that work together to combat social issues in the county, with particular emphasis on hunger and poverty relief. The United Way funds initiatives and organizations in the area, who may apply for grants and funding in order to provide more efficient, inclusive services to Tompkins County residents. In essence, the broader, national United Way is a community fundraiser, and one of the most successful in the country, but in practice, it is much more: it is a results-driven system that strives to improve community conditions and implement long-term solutions.
Address: 313 North Aurora St., Ithaca, NY 14850
Phone: (607)-272-6286
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Tompkins County Food Distribution Network
Affiliated with ACT: Area Congregations Together, the Tompkins County Food Distribution Network has been providing local families and individuals in difficult financial situations with free food and meals for decades. Pocket Full of Change has created this map to make it easier to see where in Tompkins County food pantries are located, as well as when they are open to provide people with food and any other important information. The green pins denote the initial five food pantries in the area, started in 1969, and the blue pins represent the other food pantries that were started in more recent history.
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Ithaca College Organizations
Ithaca College also has a number of organizations that deal with poverty, hunger and homelessness relief. A small but active group of students passionate about these issues coordinate projects that benefit the less fortunate beyond their college community.
More information will be posted soon about:
- IC Streets
- Stop Wasting Ithaca’s Food Today (S.W.I.F.T.)
- Stone Soup Philanthropy Corps
- Habitat for Humanity
Alyssa Figueroa
Adam Polaski
Alyssa
