More than 1.4 million New Yorkers are experiencing food insecurity, meaning they cannot access enough food due to a lack of money and other essential resources, according to the latest data from Feeding America.
We are pleased to be partnering with City Harvest, New York City’s largest food rescue organization, for our QPL Winter Food Drive.
We will be collecting canned food and plastic jars of peanut butter at all open Queens Public Library locations (except the Far Rockaway Teen Library and the Ravenswood Community Learning Center) from Monday, December 8 through Saturday, January 31.
Help feed your fellow New Yorkers in need! Learn more about our Winter Food Drive below.
If you are impacted by food insecurity, please use our list of Food Security Resources in NYC.
Winter Food Drive Frequently Asked Questions
1. When does the Winter Food Drive begin and end?
The Winter Food Drive begins on Monday, December 8, 2025, and concludes on Saturday, January 31, 2026.
2. What items are being collected?
We will be collecting non-perishable, non-expired canned goods, and peanut butter (in plastic jars only). These are the only items that will be accepted at the Winter Food Drive.
You may donate items such as canned vegetables, soups, beans, chili, and fruit. Please do not contribute dry goods, perishable foods, or toiletries of any kind.
3. Where can I drop off my items?
You may donate items at all open QPL locations (except the Far Rockaway Teen Library and the Ravenswood Community Learning Center). A library staff member can direct you to the collection boxes at each location.
4. When can I drop off my items?
Donated items may be dropped off during normal library hours. You can see our hours of operation at queenslibrary.org/about-us/locations.
5. Where is the food going to be distributed?
Queens Public Library is partnering with City Harvest to collect and distribute donations to a citywide network of soup kitchens, food pantries, community fridges, City Harvest Mobile Markets, and City Harvest Community Partner Distributions serving communities and individuals in need of assistance. View a map of City Harvest food distribution locations.
6. Can I donate dry goods, toiletries, or other non-perishable items?
No. We ask you to donate only canned food or plastic jars of peanut butter.
7. What should I do if I want to donate items other than canned goods?
You can visit City Harvest to locate nearby soup kitchens, food pantries, community fridges, City Harvest Mobile Markets, and City Harvest Community Partner Distributions that accept donations. Go to https://www.cityharvest.org/food-map/ for more information.
8. Can I donate expired or near-expired items?
We ask that you donate items that are at least one month before their expiration date. This will help ensure that these items are in good condition and can be consumed safely.
9. Is it possible to drop items off at a QPL location before December 8 or after January 31?
No. Queens Public Library can only collect canned food items during the Food Drive period, which is Monday, December 8 through Saturday, January 31. If you would like to donate canned food or other items before or after the campaign, please contact City Harvest at cityharvest.org.
Thank you for your interest in supporting this effort to help feed our neighbors.