ASTORIA FOOD PANTRY INC

Food for Distribution: Every week we conduct at least 2, usually 3 or 4, food distributions. We purchase fresh vegetables, fruit, and rice for our two weekly food distributions at our community center on Steinway, as well as for a distribution at Astoria Houses every other week. Buying food each week allows us to provide consistency in the amount, type, and freshness of the food, and we supplement this purchased food with food that is donated to us. Through these distributions we provide food to over 500 people per week. We also buy and distribute hot vegan meals at Queensbridge Houses, and we buy snacks, water, and meals-on-the-go that we distribute on the streets and to people who are unhoused or living in shelters.

Occupancy & Office Expenses: We operate a community center at 2582 Steinway Street in Astoria, NY. Most of this spending went to our rent, which was $4,000 per month, and the remaining was for office expenses (utilities, maintenance, and supplies to keep the space functional like trash bags, cleaning supplies, and lightbulbs.) We use the space at least 4 days per week for food, clothing, and book distributions. Whenever the space is not being used for a distribution, we offer it to community members to borrow for other mutual aid projects or to offer free or low-cost events to the public. This year the space was regularly used for an English class, a board game night, an open mic, an art supply swap, and a collective that supports transgender people. We also hosted one-time events like an art show, a staging of a play, and a fundraiser for laid-off union workers. With our space, we are also able to host team members from the Astoria Worker Project, a local effort of the Consortium for Worker Education. They sublet an office for two of their staff members and use the common space of the community center when its available to offer classes.