Trinity Church Serves Two Million Meals to the Needy in 2024
Trinity Church has served 2,029,516 free meals – and given away vast quantities of free groceries, clothing, and household supplies – to people struggling with poverty in and around Lower Manhattan in this calendar year. Every day of the week, Trinity distributes food through a range of programs, largely staffed by volunteers. The Compassion Meals initiative offers hot, prepared food at breakfast (Monday through Friday mornings), lunch (every day), and dinner (Fridays). On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the Compassion Market offers free grocery shopping. These on-site services at Trinity Church (89 Broadway), St. Paul’s Chapel (209 Broadway) and Trinity Commons (109 Greenwich Street) are supplemented by the Church’s support of 29 food pantries throughout Lower Manhattan. The program has also given away more than 392,000 meals through its holiday pack service, at Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Trinity’s Christmas Food Pantry event is being held today (Thursday, December 19) from 11am through 1:30pm at St. Paul’s Chapel. Provisions will include free chicken, pork, vegetables, and fruits.
An adjunct of the food programs, the Compassion Space initiative, invites asylum seekers, the unhoused, and other members of the Lower Manhattan community to stop by Trinity Commons on Tuesday and Thursday mornings for free clothing, diapers, and hygiene essentials.
“Trinity Church continues to meet our community’s needs by providing warm meals, winter coats, and pantry goods to all who come to us seeking help,” says chief community impact officer Lorelei Vargas.
In 2025, Trinity plans to continue providing meals, groceries, and clothing, but also aims to expand its offerings with educational programs, including clinics focused on legal aid and housing support; English as a Second Language courses, and training seminars to meet job standards set by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Anyone wishing to volunteer for Trinity Church’s Compassion programs may email volunteer@trinitychurchnyc.org.