Congregation Shearith Israel, the oldest Jewish congregation in North America, is marking America’s 250th anniversary by deepening its commitment to community service and food relief. This year, at its annual Thanksgiving morning “packathon,” the synagogue will announce that Masbia — a nonprofit kosher food assistance network — has been invited to open a food pantry annex within its complex. The goal is to have the pantry operational and serving families in need before the start of Chanukkah, or before the end of the calendar year.
For more than a decade, the Thanksgiving packathon has brought volunteers together to assemble food packages while watching the parade from inside the congregation’s building. This consistent act of communal care is now evolving into a long-term support model. Under the new partnership, Congregation Shearith Israel will help fundraise to maintain the pantry’s inventory, encourage volunteer involvement, and work closely with Masbia to ensure a sustainable and impactful food distribution effort locally.
About Masbia and Its Expansion
Masbia operates as a kosher soup kitchen and emergency food pantry, heavily reliant on individual donors and crowdfunding to sustain operations. This upcoming Upper West Side annex will be its first Manhattan location and fourth overall. The organization will utilize its existing operational systems to support this expansion, including partnerships with DoorDash for coordinated food deliveries and the Plentiful app, which offers digital appointment scheduling in multiple languages.
Masbia has established relationships with kosher food vendors that regularly donate, allowing the organization to distribute food aligned with community standards. The new annex is expected to serve as a beacon for individuals and families experiencing food insecurity, enabling access to fresh and shelf-stable ingredients, as well as meal support options.
Food Support for Those in Need
Individuals and families facing food insecurity will be able to request assistance through the Plentiful app or by contacting Masbia directly once the pantry opens. DoorDash coordination will allow eligible recipients to receive food deliveries discreetly and efficiently, supporting accessibility for those unable to travel to the pantry in person.
When the annex opens, food distribution will begin ahead of Chanukkah. Operations will take place inside Congregation Shearith Israel, located at 2 West 70th Street, New York, NY.