Our Response to COVID-19

As of March 1, 2021, NYC Health has revised COVID-19 vaccine eligibility requirements to include both paid and unpaid food pantry and soup kitchen workers. Volunteers who attend on-the-ground projects distributing, serving or packing meals can request documentation for vaccine eligibility.

Our work is vital now more than ever as our city’s most vulnerable residents are disproportionately affected by COVID-19. As the city’s lead agency designated by the Volunteer Coordination Task Force for mobilizing spontaneous volunteers in cases of citywide emergencies, we are committed to harnessing the passions of caring New Yorkers in a way that supports their safety and the safety of the people we serve.

New York Cares is currently:

Running on-the-ground volunteer programs that focus on urgent needs, like providing meals for food-insecure and homebound New Yorkers.
Regularly enforcing health and safety requirements for volunteers and nonprofit partners, ensuring social distancing and PPE protocols are followed.
Shifting existing programs from in-person to online and adding new virtual volunteering opportunities. Some of our latest projects include virtual yoga and Judo for elementary school students, a virtual storytime for kids, online SAT tutoring, phone banking to homebound seniors to conduct wellness checks, and more!

While there have been significant changes to the way our staff, Team Leaders, volunteers, and nonprofit partners respond to the needs of our city, one thing remains constant: the way New Yorkers show up for one another in times of crisis.

Courtesy of UP Creative, How New Yorkers Come Together tells the story of a city-wide response to COVID-19 with volunteers at the heart.