With 1 in 5 NYC residents living in poverty, Camino client Yorkville Common Pantry (YCP), New York City’s largest community-based food pantry, is revolutionizing the current food pantry model to expand access and empower clients by launching two new programs, YCP Direct and Choice Pantry.

The YCP Direct program incorporates the latest technology into the pantry’s daily operations. Clients can now order their groceries off-site and at their convenience through the YCP website. Using the YCP Direct program, clients choose from nutritious food options and select a pick-up time to reduce congestion in the pantry on pick-up days.

The flagship Choice Pantry program utilizes web-enabled tablets on-site that allow clients to place a custom order and pick up the same day. In this program, clients are assisted by volunteers in choosing from a menu of pantry options by viewing images and script in a chosen language. By encouraging clients to become active participants in the selection and ordering process, YCP remains true to its mission to promote client dignity and independence.

YCP served over 2 million meals to New Yorkers last year, distributes grocery packages to over 1,200 needy families each week, and is designed to meet the needs of New York families by providing culturally appropriate and nutritionally balanced food. Camino Public Relations is proud to support YCP and their efforts to expand access to the pantry.

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