Free groceries, clothing and warm meals for anyone in need at the
Hempstead Food Share
Every Sunday, Community Solidarity shares tens of thousands of pounds of fresh organic produce and vegetarian groceries with hundreds of our fellow community members in Hempstead.
If you're coming down to volunteer, you should arrive at 2 pm, if you're coming for groceries, you should arrive at 3:30 pm.
The goal is to help empower the community and community members by alleviating the burdens of social and economic oppressions like poverty. We do this by sharing all, or at least a good portion, of the food a person might need for that week.
At our Hempstead Food Share, we set up tables with fruits, veggies, bread, prepared foods, frozen foods, desserts, and hot vegan meals. We also share clothing, toys, books, toiletries, seeds, plants, flowers, school/educational supplies, information, and other essentials.
We are always looking for more hands and more food to share, and if you'd like to help with either, please feel free to stop by the Food Share or contact us at info[at]CommunitySolidarityl[dot]org. If you'd like to find out more information on how to share food, clothing, supplies or other essentials with us please click here.
As with all Community Solidarity Food Shares, all people are welcome to come for groceries or to volunteer. No paperwork or documentation required. Food is a right, for all people.
How do I get food?
As with all Community Solidarity Food Shares you just need to show up. No documentation or paperwork is required, just your respect for the community. Simply stated, bring a few bags and we'll fill them up.
The Community Solidarity Hempstead Food Share distributes groceries every Sunday at 3:30 pm in the parking lot in front of Hempstead Town Hall, located at Cooper Pl. & Washington St. - regardless of holidays or the weather. Through hurricanes, blizzards, and countless rainy afternoons, over the past 20 years, we've never missed a single Sunday. We'll always be there if you need groceries, clothing, or other necessities.
While volunteers arrive at 2 pm to help set up the distribution, if you're just coming for groceries, we highly recommend that you come closer to 3:30 pm since there is no benefit in arriving early.
Spanning across the parking lot, the Community Solidarity Hempstead Food Share is a free grocery store. When you arrive, you'll see a large produce section sits on the Northern end of the Food Share. Non-perishables, canned goods, frozen foods, toiletries, and baked goods are on the Eastern end. Bread, clothing, housewares and toys are on the Western end.
Anyone who has difficulty standing in line can use our drive-through food access area, and our volunteers will put together a big box of groceries for you.
We only distribute vegetarian groceries. Focusing on organic produce, whole-grain bread, and healthier non-perishable items, our aim is to promote a more nutritious and compassionate diet for all who come. You'll get most, if not all, of the groceries they need for their week.
Directions
The Hempstead Food Share takes place every Sunday at 2 pm for volunteers and 3:30 pm for people coming for food. We are located in the parking lot outside Hempstead Town Hall at Cooper St. North & Washington Ave.
Directions by Train
Take the LIRR to Hempstead Station. Walk 2 blocks east to Washington Ave. and then 7 blocks south to the parking lot at Cooper St. North & Washington Ave.
Directions by Bus
Take the N6, N15, N16, N17, N27, N31, N32, N35, N37, N40/41, N46, N47, N48/49, N54/55 and N70/71/72 to Hempstead Transit Station. Walk 2 blocks east to Washington Ave. and then 7 blocks south to the parking lot at Cooper St. North & Washington Ave.
Directions by Car
From Eastern Long Island: Take Northern/Southern State to Meadowbrook Parkway. If coming from Northern State proceed South to Exit M4/Hempstead Turnpike - West. If coming from Southern State proceed North to Exit M4/Hempstead Turnpike - West. Proceed west of Hempstead Turnpike for approximately 2.3 miles. Turn Right onto Main St. Proceed on Main St. for 3 blocks and then Turn left on Washington Ave. Proceed for two blocks to Cooper St. North. We are located at Cooper St. North & Washington Ave. You'll be able to pull up in your vehicle on our car line.
I'm coming by car, where do I park?
If you're coming to the Hempstead Food Share with a vehicle, it's extremely important to adhere to our parking regulations. Please make sure to park legally in any areas labeled in green on the map above. Areas marked in red are off limits because we're trying to prevent congestion and reduce the risk of traffic accidents.
If you need to use our drive-through line, go to the end of the line of vehicles that will be located in the area marked in blue.
How can I volunteer?
Easy, just show up! The best way to get involved is to just show up any Sunday you'd like at 2 pm. You'll see fellow volunteers unloading trucks filled with food and setting up folding tables. Let them know you want to help and they'll put you right to work.
If you want to get more engaged before you show up we recommend that you fill out our Volunteer Interest Form by clicking here. Doing so will give us a better idea of your interests and where we can best utilize you. Plus, we'll add you to our mailing list so you can stay up-to-date on all the happenings of the Community Solidarity Hempstead Food Share!
