During the pandemic, many religious centers launched food pantries, but these spaces are often uncomfortable or unsafe for LGBTQ individuals in need of food. Love Wins Food Pantry is an LGBTQ-led food pantry, creating safe spaces for LGBTQ and gender non-conforming people to access food during the COVID-19 pandemic. In front of Jackson Heights gay bar Friend's Tavern, we distribute food every other week to anyone who needs it. By partnering with LGBTQ organizations CITGNY and SAGE, we also provide food to trans and gender non-binary immigrants in Jackson Heights every other week, and to LGBTQ elders in the Bronx, Harlem, and Brooklyn every month.

In 2021, we led a total of 71 volunteer-led food distributions. We distributed over 10,000 bags of food, one per person. At least 2,400 bags of food went to trans and gender non-conforming individuals. 95% of our recipients are people of color and 45% are elders.

The food pantry distributes food weekly. To join their volunteer mailing list and get involved, please email lovewinsfoodpantry@gmail.com. And be sure to follow along on their Instagram at @lovewinsfoodpantry.