When the pandemic hit in March 2020, Project FIND didn't miss a beat. Despite the senior center congregate activities and meals being put on hold, Project FIND's Coffeehouse Senior Center advocated for a waiver from the New York City Department for the Aging which allowed the site to continue providing street homeless seniors with nutritious daily grab and go meals. In support of Project FIND's longstanding Day for Night program, the site has continued to offer these hot, nutritious meals throughout the pandemic and into the City's reopening process.
Monday through Friday from 10:30am to 12:30pm, the site distributes up to 65 lunches to its diverse membership -- many of whom are street homeless adults aged 60 and above. At a time when food insecurity is at an all-time high, this resource is vital. The meals have not only been called the "Best in the City" by some seniors, but people have expressed gratitude for Project FIND "looking out for them" and stated they "would not know what to do without the meal."
As an added layer of support, seniors can connect with the site's Social Worker when picking up their meal who has expertise in assisting homeless older adults access and navigate an array of services, including NYC Housing Connects, MTA Reduced Fare MetroCard’s, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and Medicaid. Further, when appropriate, seniors may be referred to the Project FIND Homeless In-Reach Plus (HIR+) program located nearby at the Woodstock Hotel for showers, clean clothes, case assistance and behavioral health services.
To learn more about the Coffeehouse Senior Center, please click here.
Coffeehouse Senior Center
(across from the Port Authority)
331 West 42nd Street
Between 8th and 9th Avenue
New York, NY 10036
(646) 545-4624