As some of you are aware the Rotary Metro Club has supported the Yorkville Common Pantry (“YCP”) in Harlem for the last two years.  Every month our club team works actively hand in hand with the YCP team to sort, package and distribute groceries to families with limited economic means. 

We are happy to have the opportunity to hear first hand from Ms. Gladys Ortiz, Volunteer Coordinator at the YCP for the last 9 years, about the YCP’s mission, its goals and its achievements.  YCP’s Pantry Program is New York City’s largest community-based food pantry and is designed to meet the needs of families by providing culturally-appropriate and nutritiously-balanced food. Every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, YCP distributes grocery packages to over 1,800 families. YCP’s Project Dignity is designed to meet other needs of homeless and hungry individuals in the community and consists of a range of services designed to meet the most basic needs of YCP’s clients - food, shelter, hygiene services - as well as the larger, more challenging issues they face - long-term housing, health care, benefits and employment. The overall goal of the Program is to serve as a bridge back to health, well-being and self-sufficiency for YCP’s homeless and hungry clients.