IMPACT | One Community

Why We’re Here

Food insecurity remains a daily reality for thousands of families in Fort Greene and Clinton Hill. One Community Fresh Pantries was created to ensure every neighbor has reliable access to healthy food, dignity, and opportunity—no matter their circumstances.

Serving Where the Need Is Greatest

Public Housing Focus: Ingersoll, Farragut, Walt Whitman, and Atlantic Terminal developments together house over 6,000 families and more than 14,000 residents.

Targeted Impact: The program aims to reach all families in need across local public housing.

Current Reach:
- Weekly Pantries: About 600 people served per pantry (Ingersoll & Farragut).
- Biweekly Pantries: About 300 people served per pantry.

Measurable Results: At a Glance

2020

Households Served Weekly: 209
Total Individuals Impacted: 1,700+ per week
Volunteer Hours: 3,000+
Grocery Value Provided: $1.2 million+

In 2020, One Community mobilized quickly to meet urgent needs at the onset of the pandemic, scaling from just over 200 to 1,700 households served weekly.

Volunteers played a crucial role, dedicating thousands of hours to ensure food reached those most at risk.

2022

Households Served Weekly: 800+
Total Individuals Impacted: 2,500+ per week
Volunteer Hours: 5,000+
Grocery Value Provided: $4 million+

By 2022, Fresh Pantries had established a reliable, weekly presence in the community, serving over 800 households and expanding its impact to more than 2,500 individuals.

Increased volunteer engagement and resource investment allowed for a broader, more consistent reach.

2025

Households Served Weekly: 1,000+
Total Individuals Impacted: 4,200+
Volunteer Hours: 7,500+
Grocery Value Provided: $6 million+

Looking ahead, One Community aims to double its weekly reach, serve over 4,200 individuals.

We also aim to further increase volunteer participation and the value of groceries distributed, ensuring even more families have access to essential support.

Takeaways

The number of households served each week has grown significantly, with a goal to double current reach by 2025.
Volunteer engagement and the value of groceries provided have both increased year over year, reflecting deeper community impact and investment.
Thousands of individuals benefit annually, with millions of dollars in food support delivered to families in need.

These results highlight the power of community action and the ongoing need for support to sustain and expand this vital work.

One Community Impact:
2020–2025 and Beyond

2020: Emergency Response and Rapid Mobilization

Pandemic Onset: One Community responded immediately to the COVID-19 crisis, organizing a coalition of over 20–30 local partners to deliver groceries and essentials to vulnerable residents, especially seniors and public housing families unable to safely leave their homes.
Scale of Service: The number of households served grew from 209 in late March to 1,700 at the program’s peak, with over 70 volunteers packing and delivering food each weekend.
Focus: Emergency food access, wellness calls to isolated seniors, and direct support for those most at risk.

2021–2022: Building Sustainable Solutions

Fresh Pantries Launch: In August 2021, One Community transitioned from emergency delivery to the Fresh Pantries model—offering weekly, in-person grocery distributions with choice and dignity for families.
Consistent Impact: By mid-2022, Fresh Pantries was serving over 800 families every week, providing a reliable source of nutritious groceries and helping families save up to $100 per week on food costs.
Broader Initiatives: Expanded programs included job training, youth enrichment, and wellness outreach, addressing root causes of inequality and supporting long-term stability.

2023–2024: Expanding Access and Deepening Community Roots

Network Growth: Fresh Pantries operated two weekly and two biweekly (twice-monthly) sites, all staffed by multilingual local volunteers. This network reached hundreds of public housing households, including residents of Ingersoll, Farragut, Walt Whitman, and Atlantic Terminal developments.
Comprehensive Support: Programs extended beyond food, offering job training, youth programs, and wellness outreach to address broader community needs.
Community-Driven: Services were shaped by regular feedback from participants and partnerships with local organizations, ensuring cultural relevance and accessibility.

2025 and Beyond: Scaling Impact with Community and Partner Support

School-Based Expansion: In May 2025, One Community launched a new school-based pantry, immediately welcoming 100 new community members.
Vision for Growth: With the support of donors, funders, and partners, One Community aims to:
- Expand pantry access to all 2,000+ households in need across local public housing.
- Grow partnerships with schools, local organizations, and residents.
- Offer a wider variety of nutritious, culturally relevant foods.
- Invest in infrastructure and volunteer training.
- Connect families to holistic support and resources, including job training and youth enrichment.
Commitment: The goal is to ensure every neighbor has reliable access to healthy food and the opportunity to thrive, with a focus on sustainability and community leadership.

Ongoing Needs & Opportunities

Unmet Demand:
Thousands of families in public housing still face food insecurity and financial strain.

Resource Gaps:
Rising food costs and limited infrastructure challenge our ability to serve every household in need.

Community Engagement:
Expanding partnerships with schools, local organizations, and residents is essential to reach more families and sustain impact.

$100/week: Estimated grocery savings per participating household, freeing up funds for rent, utilities, and other essentials.

Over 70% of pantry users report improved food security and reduced financial stress after joining the program (internal survey, 2024).

How You Can Help

Your support as a donor, funder, or partner is crucial. Every contribution helps:

Expand pantry access to more neighborhoods and schools.

Offer a wider variety of nutritious, culturally relevant foods.

Invest in infrastructure and volunteer training.

Together, we can ensure every neighbor has reliable access to healthy food and the opportunity to thrive. Your support makes this impact possible.

Hansel Marksman, NYC

Community Member, Volunteer, Current Staff

"I love to give to God's people, see the smiles and happiness, when you look at them, you can see the gratefulness in the people's faces, they're incredibly polite and kind. Working for my community and helping people. I love my job!"