Long Island & NYC Food Pantries
If you are unable to visit the Stony Brook Seawolves Pantry, please explore the Google Map below of other food pantries in the Long Island and New York City region. Before visiting any of these pantries, please contact them via the phone number provided to request and confirm their address and hours of operation.
Need help finding a food pantry near you? Text your zip code to 631-450-3775 and a list of food pantries in your area will be sent to you.
Long Island Soup Kitchens
If you are in need of prepared hot meals, please explore the Google Map of soup kitchens in Nassau and Suffolk counties. Before visiting any of these kitchens, please contact them via the phone number provided to request and confirm their address and hours of operation.
For a detailed and searchable list of all soup kitchens on Long Island, please browse this database provided by 2-1-1 Long Island.
Local Grocery Stores
If you are unsure of where to purchase groceries off-campus, please explore the Google Map of grocery stores close to campus. Please be aware of the following transportation options:
- On Sundays, the University provides Shopping Route buses that travel from campus and make stops at Stop & Shop, Target, and Walmart at no charge.
- The Port Jefferson Shuttle is another free-of-charge bus on campus that will travel to Stop & Shop during limited hours on Fridays and Saturdays.
- The Suffolk County Transit buses run every day can be ridden at a charge of $1.25 per ride for Stony Brook students.
For up-to-date information about transportation options, please visit the Mobility & Parking Services webpage at this link.
Pick-Up Locations
| Program | Description |
| Long Island Cares Farm to Truck | The LI Cares Farm Truck is an insulated box truck designed to deliver fresh, high-quality fruits and vegetables directly to local sites, bringing nutritious, farm-fresh food to more people and making healthy eating more accessible than ever. LI Cares travels throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties, offering a self-select produce experience, with portions based on family size. The produce is sourced locally, ensuring fresh, seasonal options for your table. |
| Long Island Cares Mobile Food Assistance Unit (MFAU) | The LI Cares Mobile Food Assistance Unit provides information, referral assistance, and emergency food to communities across Long Island. The MFAU van delivers food directly where people need it, helping ease the burden of getting to a pantry for assistance. These custom-converted vans travel throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties during the week, bringing healthy groceries into the community free of charge. |
| Community Solidarity Foodshares | Community Solidarity shares free vegetarian groceries, clothing, and other necessities at locations across Long Island & NYC. At these Food Shares, anyone in need can get most of their weekly groceries. Each Food Share is a free supermarket where community members share instead of pay for what they need. There are no prerequisites, there is no paperwork, all are welcome and everyone will be helped. All the groceries at Food Shares are completely vegetarian and all of the prepared food we distribute is 100% vegan. |
| Little Free Pantry | Little Free Pantry is a grassroots mini pantry movement modeled after the Little Free Library. These mini pantries typically take the form of a wooden box on a post containing food, personal care, and paper items accessible to everyone all the time, no questions asked. They serve to raise local awareness of food insecurity while creating a space for neighbors to help meet neighborhood food needs. |
Delivery Services
| Service | Description |
| Lasagna Love | Lasagna Love is a global nonprofit and grassroots movement that aims to positively impact communities by connecting neighbors with neighbors through homemade meal delivery. Our mission is to feed families, spread kindness, and strengthen communities. We connect volunteer lasagna chefs who want to help with individuals and families in need, providing home-cooked lasagnas made with love. Whether someone is facing financial challenges, emotional overwhelm, medical issues, or any other hardship, Lasagna Love strives to provide relief, hope, and connection through the simple yet profound gesture of a warm meal. |
| Meal Train | Meal Train simplifies the organization of meal giving for those in need. Similar to a fundraising service, anyone can create a Meal Train page for themself or someone else in need of support. Provide the recipient’s meal preferences, allergies, and ideal drop-off time. Share with friends, family, and neighbors so they can sign up to provide meals. Each Meal Train page is private until shared by the organizer or recipient. |
| Full Cart Virtual Food Bank | The Full Cart program is America's Virtual Food Bank which works to collaborate with key community partners and provide food with dignity and discretion. Full Cart connects those in need of food assistance with organizations who provide solutions such as access to food, housing, education, healthcare, and financial stability. Register online and get food delivered directly to your door! |
Meal Discount Apps
| App | Description |
| Too Good To Go | Too Good To Go is an app where individuals can buy surplus "Surprise Bag" meals from restaurants, bakeries, and cafés at steep discounts. Download the app, reserve your surprise bag, and pick up in-store within the time window specified in the item listing. When you show the app, and swipe the in-app slider as proof of your reservation, the store staff will hand you your Surprise Bag. |
| Olio | Olio is a community food-sharing app where neighbors and local businesses post surplus food and other items for free or low cost. Create an account, browse nearby listings, and claim items that you need. Message the poster to arrange pick up: either on your doorstep, in a public location, or hidden in a safe space. |
Health & Wellness
| Program | Description |
| Response Crisis Center | Response Crisis Hotline provides callers in crisis or in need of support with unconditional acceptance, compassion, and respect in order to lower anxiety and facilitate the coping skills they already have. They help callers capitalize on their strengths in the prevention of self-destructive behaviors or suicide. They are here to provide referrals and information about community programs and resources. And lastly, they strive to heighten public awareness of suicide prevention through community education, outreach and training. |
| FindHelp.org | Find Help is a searchable, online database that connects people to helpful programs that improve outcomes for families, children, veterans, students, and employees. Programs include financial assistance, food pantries, medical care, and other free or reduced-cost help. Simply enter your zip code into the website and find resources in your own community. |
Basic Needs
| Program | When to Use |
| 2-1-1 Long Island | 211 Long Island is a free, confidential phone service and searchable online database that is available 24/7/365 and connects you to local health and human services agencies when you need help. Simply dial 2-1-1 on your phone to speak to a caring call specialist or browse the online database for resources across Long Island. |
International Students
| Program | About |
| International Student Scholarship Database | InternationalStudent.com hosts a database of ongoing scholarships available to international students studying in the United States. |
| AAUW International Fellowships | American Association of University Women International Fellowships are specifically designed for women who are non-U.S. citizens or permanent residents, with a track record of academic excellence and empowering other women and girls. International Fellowships carry a stipend of $20,000 for a master’s degree and $25,000 for a doctorate degree. |
| Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships | The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans provides merit-based funding for New Americans, immigrants and children of immigrants, who are poised to make significant contributions to US culture, society and academia. Each Fellow receives up to $90,000 in financial support over two years during their graduate education. |