Notice: SJBL is undergoing a major communications system upgrade today through June 9. If you email a staff member during this time, please allow until Monday for a reply. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
We believe that together, we have the power to make a lasting impact in our community. Through the dedication of our incredible staff, passionate volunteers, generous donors, and committed partners, we tackle some of the most pressing challenges of our time. From providing emergency food relief, vital healthcare, and social service support, to promoting nutritional awareness, our collaborative efforts drive meaningful impact in the underserved communities of Brooklyn and Queens. Join us on this inspiring journey of compassion and empowerment, and together, let's create a brighter future for all.
We provide quality hot meals and distribute fresh and nutritious produce, dairy, meats and pantry staples to individuals and families through our Food Pantry, Grab & Go Meals, Mobile Soup Kitchen, and Mobile Market programs. Additionally, our caring and compassionate case management staff builds relationships with our guests, learning about their individual or family needs and seeking to empower and support them in their journey towards self-sufficiency and independence.
In 1982, St. John’s Bread and Life was founded to address the needs of individuals and families living in the Bedford Stuyvesant community who faced multiple challenges. Originally housed in the basement of St. John the Baptist church, the agency moved to its current location in 2008. The state of the art building provides a warm and welcoming environment for all guests providing a wide array of comprehensive services, easy access and helping individuals and families move from crisis situations to greater permanency.
St. John’s Bread and Life’s mission is to respect the dignity and rights of all persons by ensuring access to healthy, nutritious food and comprehensive human services resulting in self-sufficiency and stability. Our mission is rooted in the Vincentian spirit of putting words into action, creating positive change and transforming lives.
Learn MoreWe imagine a future where no one goes to bed hungry, where every person has access to nourishing and wholesome food. We envision a world without food insecurity. Through our tireless efforts and unwavering commitment, we strive to eradicate hunger and malnutrition from the lives of vulnerable communities in New York. By empowering individuals with the knowledge and resources they need, we aim to break the cycle of poverty and create a sustainable, equitable food system.
Learn MoreWe place the highest importance on providing nourishment for individuals and families, while understanding that achieving self-sufficiency often involves overcoming significant obstacles. Our committed team works tirelessly to facilitate emergency food programs and social services, actively striving to dismantle these barriers and support those in need on their path to self-reliance.
Learn MoreBread & Life is a great place that helps the community tremendously! They treat everyone with dignity and respect in serving them to meet their needs. They offer a lot of other helpful services as well.
I absolutely love this place. The employees are friendly and helpful. I can Shop for the things I need from home and then pick it up later. You don’t feel like You’re going to a pantry, more like You’re going to pick up groceries. They have many other services too. A plus is that you can get breakfast or lunch depending on what time you go. The food is good too!
I love this place! They have so much to offer and everything is free!!! Soup kitchen, breakfast and lunch and a pantry where you actually shop for what you want, clothing vouchers free legal help and referrals, you can even collect your mail there if you’re homeless or can’t receive your mail where you live, fresh vegetables, fresh bread movie day…come see for yourself! I’m SURE there’s a few things that’ll interest you!
Thank you, Sister Marie. You helped us in our time of need. You have been a blessing God sent to me and my wife. Your house has always welcomed and help us in many ways, but most of all, keeping hope alive for us while sleeping on the streets of Brooklyn. Helping us with a warm plate of food, things to keep us looking and feeling clean. Getting my papers back in order to show I am a United States citizen when other organizations told there is no way. You helped us find a way. Thank you, Bread & Life, Sister Marie, all the social workers, and volunteers who helped us out. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts… HOPE.
So so helpful. A great asset in the community!
Wonderful organization so helpful and caring ❤ thank you for all your services! People come first for this organization!
