Turning The Table On Hunger
The Knights Table Food Pantry is committed to improving health and well-being by providing nourishment to all Queens College and CUNY students. Our goal is to reduce the prevalence of hunger and food insecurity among our students and their families.
Looking for Additional Resources?
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the most extensive federal nutrition assistance program. If you are eligible for SNAP, you can get monthly benefits to spend at local grocery stores and farmers’ markets. To be eligible, you must meet certain income requirements. The amount of benefits you receive depends on your household size, income, and expenses.
Hungry After Class? Visit Us!
Please make an appointment before your visit to better serve you!
Need help with your laundry?
The Knights Table Food Pantry has purchased Clean Rite Laundry cards in an effort to alleviate the financial burden placed on students by the expense of laundry services. Having clean clothes is a necessity for students in their daily lives. A limited number of Laundry Gift Cards are provided on a first-come, first-serve basis. Students apply for a gift card by filling out an online form and attaching any necessary papers. Upon approval, students will receive a laundry gift card. Please contact [email protected] for further information.
CUNY Food Pantries!
Students at CUNY can save time by visiting one of the university’s food pantries. CUNY Students are encouraged to look for food pantries that are near to their residences and do not require a long commute. A list of CUNY food pantry locations may be found here! Please check with the pantry ahead of time to ensure it is open before you arrive.
Experiencing personal emergencies?
The Carroll and Milton Petrie Student Emergency Grant Fund was established to provide immediate emergency assistance to enrolled students in good standing who are experiencing short-term financial difficulties. The emergency grant fund aims to help students remain in school without interruption and successfully complete their degrees.
Helping Hands for People in Need
Nutrition Programs
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits help eligible New Yorkers and working families purchase food. Eligibility and benefit levels are based on household size, income, certain expenses, and other factors. Anyone eligible for SNAP can receive free nutrition education to learn how to eat healthier and shop smarter. To see if you may qualify and to apply for SNAP, visit myBenefits.ny.gov. For more information, call 800-342-3009. If you have a food emergency, contact your local department of social services to locate a food pantry in your area.
School Breakfast and Lunch Programs provide nutritionally balanced meals to New York State school children in grades pre-k through 12. To apply for free or reduced-priced school meals, families may obtain a household income application from their school and submit it to the school for processing. If you are receiving SNAP benefits, then your children are eligible to receive free school meals under the National School Lunch Program and/or School Breakfast program. If you have not been notified by your school that your children are eligible for free meals, contact your school administrator.
Women, Infants and Children (WIC) provides nutrition advice, help with breastfeeding, referrals to other services, and healthy foods. WIC welcomes pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and children up to 5 years old. Caregivers of children and working families can qualify too. In 2019, a working family of four with a yearly income of up to $47,638 can qualify for services. WIC can help your family stay healthy. For more information, call the Growing Up Healthy hotline at 800-522-5006 or visit health.ny.gov/wic to see if you qualify.
Home Energy Assistance Program
The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) helps low-income New Yorkers meet the cost of heating their home, repairing, or replacing inoperable heating systems, and with the installation of medically necessary air conditioning units. HEAP benefits vary depending on household income, source of heat, and the presence of a vulnerable household member. To see if you may qualify and to apply, visit myBenefits.ny.gov or your local department of social services. For more information, call 800-342-3009, or visit otda.ny.gov/programs/heap.
Tax Credits
The Federal and State Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) are for working people with low or moderate incomes. Taxpayers may quality to receive a combined federal and state EITC of up to $8,524 if their income is less than $55,952 (based on 2019 income levels) even if they owe no taxes. The Empire State Child Tax Credit is for full-year New York residents, even if they owe no taxes, with children between the ages of 4 and 16.
The Federal Child Tax Credit and Additional Child Tax Credit are offered by the federal government for taxpayers raising dependent children under the age of 17. The empire State Child Tax Cred is a credit for full-year New York residents, even if they owe no taxes, with children ages 4-16.
The Federal Child and Dependent Care Credit is a tax credit offered by the federal government. The New York State Child and Dependent Care Credit helps more low-income families because, unlike the federal credit, they may receive it even if they owe no taxes. New York City Residents may qualify for an additional refundable credit from the city. For more information, call the U.S. Internal Revenue Service at 800-829-1040, or visit irs.gov; or call the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance at 518-457-5181, or visit tax.ny.gov or myBenefits.ny.gov.
Health Insurance Affordability Programs
NY State of Health, The Official Health Plan Marketplace, is where New Yorkers can shop for, compare, and enroll in quality, affordable health insurance coverage. It’s the only place to get financial assistance to reduce the cost of coverage. You also may enroll in the Essential Plan, Medicaid, or Child Health Plus through the Marketplace. In-person enrollment experts are available to guide you through the enrollment process, help you find the right health plan based on your unique needs, and work with you to determine if you can get financial assistance to reduce the cost of coverage. Support is available online, in person in your community, and by phone – you pick what works best for you. Assistance is available in multiple languages
Job Placement Services
New York State Career Centers provide services through a network of local centers and affiliate sites. To find the location nearest you, visit labor.ny.gov/career-center-locator Additional information about finding a job and career development can be found on the New York State Department of Labor’s home page labor.ny.gov. In New York State, the SNAP Employment and Training Program provides work preparation and support services for recipients of SNAP benefits to help them gain skills necessary for becoming self-sufficient. All local departments of social services offer job search help. Other services that may be available include: on-the-job training, vocational training, job skills training, and job readiness and education. Employment services are also available for all recipients of public assistance. For more information contact your local department of social services.
Domestic Violence
Domestic violence may involve physical, psychological, sexual, economic, or emotional abuse. It can affect anyone. If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, help and information is available. Call the New York State Domestic and Sexual Violence Hotline at 800-942-6906 or visit opdv.ny.gov. The state Office of Victim Services assists individuals with expenses resulting from being the victim of domestic violence and crimes such as stalking, strangulation and others. The agency helps eligible individuals with medical and counseling expenses, moving expenses, and lost wages, in additional to other forms of assistance – all at no cost to taxpayers. The agency also funds victim assistance programs across the state that provide direct services, including counseling, advocacy, and legal assistance.
Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income
The Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SS’) programs are administered by the U.S. Social Security Administration. Only people who have a disability and meet medical criteria may qualify for benefits under these programs. To apply for SSDI or SSI benefits, call 800-772-1213, or visit ssa.gov.
Child Support Enforcement
The child support program helps strengthen families by placing the responsibility for the economic support of children on those parents based upon their ability to pay. The program assists parents in establishing paternity and obtaining, modifying, and enforcing financial and medical support obligations. For more information, visit childsupport.ny.gov or call 888-208-4485.
Child Care
New York State offers childcare grants to low-income working families and those receiving temporary assistance to make safe, quality childcare accessible and affordable. Families may be eligible for financial assistance if they meet the state’s guidelines and need childcare to work, look for work, or attend approved education or employment training programs. To find out if you are eligible for a childcare subsidy or to apply for a subsidy for your child, contact your local department of social services. For more information about the childcare subsidy program, contact your local social services district or visit ocfs.ny.gov.
Refugee and Immigrant Assistance
Assistance is available to refugees and other persons in a similar immigration status in New York State. This includes asylees, special immigrant visa holders from Afghanistan and Iraq, certified victims of human trafficking, and certain family members of a certified trafficking victim. Repatriation services for U.S. citizens is also available. To find a list of refugee service providers, visit otda.ny.gov/programs/bria.
Veterans' Benefits
If you ever served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces, you may be eligible for state or federal benefits. This includes tax-free monetary benefits in the form of compensation for disabilities caused by your military service or non-service-connected pension payments through the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs. In addition, you may be entitled to health care benefits, educational benefits, employment assistance, substance abuse and mental health services, and burial benefits. If you know someone who served who may be entitled to benefits, please have them contact the New York State Division of Veterans’ Services. To reach the State Division of Veterans’ Services for the Veterans Benefits Advisor nearest you, please call 888-838-7697, or visit veterans.ny.gov.
Take Action
As a Volunteer
Volunteers play a vital role in ensuring the QC Knights Table pantry runs smoothly.
