Soup Kitchen

Due to the circumstances of the COVID-19 we are temporarily telling volunteers that prepare food not to attend until further notice. We are continuing to provide food for our guests but we do not need volunteers at this time. Stay safe!

The Village Temple Soup Kitchen has been proudly serving free meals to the homeless and needy every Saturday since 1987. Some of our guests live in the neighborhood, some come from other areas of the city and many join us on a regular basis and have become friends. We take great pride in preparing a wonderful hot soup together with sandwiches, fruit, hot/cold drinks and dessert. The Soup Kitchen operations are funded by grants and contributions, and supported by food generously donated weekly from local businesses. We also receive food from City Harvest and the Food Bank for New York.

Everyone who works here is a volunteer. Whether a member of the temple or a neighbor, our volunteers are a multi-generational group. They are joined by students from nearby high schools, who earn community service credit.

Food preparation takes place every Saturday morning between 9:00 am and 12:00 pm. While a driver picks up donated food from local restaurants, bakeries and stores, the rotating group of soupmakers and volunteers chop vegetables and make sandwiches. A child who is old enough to place an apple in a paper lunch bag is welcome to experience the joy of helping others. When the 150+ brown bag lunches of sandwich, fruit and dessert are all assembled, it’s time to set up the tables.

You are welcome to join us on any Saturday morning – you don’t need a reservation – simply show up!

The serving crew is organized by New York Cares, the preeminent volunteer site in New York City. They serve the meals to our guests between 2:30 pm and 4:00pm. Volunteers interested in joining the serving crew, or in providing legal or social service guidance to guests, should call New York Cares at 212-228-5000.

By helping 10,000 needy people each year, we know we are serving an important role in our community and working to make a better world. We invite you to join us in a truly rewarding and meaningful way of helping those less fortunate. Please call J. Dean Chavooshian at 917-597-2030 to learn more about how you and your family members of any age can join the Saturday morning volunteers in this important effort to make the world a better place – or simply join us on a Saturday morning. It is our responsibility to make the world a better place.