September brought a new season and the same commitment from MUNA Social Services’ Nourish Emergency Food Assistance Program. Across pantry sites in New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and Pennsylvania, NEFAP distributed 450,000 pounds of food to 27,500 individuals last month.
With summer behind them and the school year in full swing, families across the network settled back into routines. For many of them, the monthly pantry visit is part of that routine. Fresh produce, rice, lentils, canned goods, halal meats, and pantry staples were distributed at every site, selected to reflect what the communities MSS serves actually eat at home.
September also marked the end of one of NEFAP’s busiest stretches of the year. From June through August, demand climbed as school lunch programs paused and household budgets tightened. The program absorbed that pressure every single month without missing a beat. September was the landing, and the numbers held strong.
“Every season brings its own challenges,” said Abul Kashem, Director of Warehouse Operations at MSS. “Summer tests your logistics, and fall tests your consistency. 450,000 pounds in September means our team stayed focused and our pantry partners stayed ready. That does not happen by accident. It takes people who care about this work showing up every single day.”
For the families on the receiving end, September felt like relief.
“When school started again, things got a little easier at home,” said Khadija M., a mother of two from Parkchester. “But the pantry is still what makes the month work. The food we get here stretches our budget in a way nothing else does. I am grateful every single time.”
With fall underway and the holiday season approaching, NEFAP heads into October with steady numbers and a network built to handle whatever comes next.
Fresh Food. Jamaica. MSS and Council Member Hankerson Deliver.
On Thursday, September 24, 2026, MUNA Social Services partnered with NYC Council Member Ty Hankerson of the 28th Council District and the Bangladeshi American Society to host a food distribution at Bitul Ahad Islamic Center, 107-58 Sutphin Blvd, Jamaica, NY 11435.
Starting at 2 PM, fresh food was distributed directly to families across the Jamaica community, open to all, no paperwork, no barriers. Attendees brought their own grocery bags and left with fresh produce and groceries to take home.
Council Member Hankerson has made food access a consistent priority for the 28th District, and this distribution at Bitul Ahad Islamic Center put that commitment directly in front of the families who needed it most. The Islamic Center is a trusted community anchor in Jamaica, and hosting the event there meant reaching residents in a space they already know.
For MSS, this was another step in a growing presence in Jamaica. From Aim High Academy on 89th Ave to a series of food distributions in partnership with local elected officials and community organizations, MSS has been showing up in Jamaica consistently throughout 2026. September 24 was no different.
Fresh food reached families. That is what the day was about.
178 Clients, One Month: CHC's September in Review
In September 2026, MUNA Social Services’ Community Help Center served 178 clients across its four Brooklyn and Queens locations. East New York led with 57 clients, followed by Parkchester with 53, Jackson Heights with 40, and Kensington with 28.
Immigration assistance remained the most requested service, with 57 cases handled during the month. Bangladesh Consulate document support came in second at 34, and SNAP enrollment and recertification accounted for 31 cases. Staff also assisted 13 clients with housing concerns, helped 12 with U.S. passport applications, and guided 9 through DMV-related needs. Health insurance navigation, food vendor licensing, job assistance, and Half Fare MetroCard applications rounded out the month’s caseload.
The September numbers reflect steady demand for direct, in-person support, particularly among newly arrived and long-settled immigrant families navigating federal and city systems. As fall begins, the CHC continues to operate across all four sites, meeting clients where they are and connecting them to the services they need.
No comments:
Post a Comment