General

What is Broadway Community? 

Broadway Community, Inc. (BCI) is a Morningside Heights-based human services agency that serves individuals experiencing homelessness and poverty through a broad range of programs including a seven-night-a-week overnight shelter, a four-star soup kitchen, on-site medical services, showers, and more. Working tirelessly to break down the barriers of poverty, inequity, and privilege – until all are fed, in body and spirit – Broadway Community provides countless opportunities to bring neighbors together across socioeconomic and cultural boundaries.


Who started Broadway Community? 

The seeds that would become Broadway Community were planted in 1982 with the creation of the Community Lunch Program – a combined effort of volunteers from Broadway Presbyterian Church, Union Theological Seminary, Columbia University, and other neighboring organizations. The Community Lunch Program prepared and provided meals to the hungry three times a week, and in 1992, formally incorporated as Broadway Community, Inc. so that it might expand its reach.


What services does Broadway Community offer? 

We serve nourishing food, a welcoming environment, shelter, clothing, showers, and medical care. 


Why do you call the people you serve Guests? 

We call the people we serve Guests for two reasons. The first is that when someone is your guest, you should treat them like royalty. Everything we do here at Broadway Community is aimed at treating everyone who walks through these doors with the highest level of dignity and respect. The second reason we refer to the people we serve as Guests is that the word "Guest" implies that someone is with you temporarily. We strongly believe that the conditions many of our Guests find themselves in today are temporary, and that with the right resources, can -- and will -- improve. In-fact, many of our Guests have gone on to join the Broadway Community team as staff members and volunteers. As you scroll through our website, notice how the word Guest is capitalized, which symbolizes the respect that we have for each person who walks through these doors.


How do people in need find out about Broadway Community's Services? 

People in need find out about our services primarily through agency referrals and word of mouth amongst Guests. Over the last 40 years, thousands of people have been drawn to us because they know that here, they will be treated with the utmost compassion, dignity, and respect.


Where does Broadway Community get food from?

We get food from a combination of donations and purchases. We receive donations from our partners at United Way , the New York City Food Bank, City Harvest, and many generous local businesses and individuals.


Someone I know or saw needs help. Can I refer them to Broadway Community?

  • If the person is in need of food, you may refer them to our Community Lunch Program, which takes place each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 12:30pm to 1:30pm. 
  • If the person is in need of medical services, you may refer them to our clinic with the Institute of Family Health, which takes place on Mondays from 1:00pm – 4:00pm, and Wednesdays from 10:00am – 4:00pm. 
  • If the person is in need of shelter, please call 3-1-1 to be connected with a member of the Department of Homeless Services Outreach Team. (Our shelter guests join our shelter by referral through the Outreach Team process only. We are not able to intake guests into our Shelter directly. Please call 3-1-1 when you or one of your neighbors is seeking shelter).

*Note: Always check our service calendar to see what services we are offering on any given day.


Shelter

What do I have to do to stay at your shelter? 

Our nightly shelter program is in collaboration with Center for Urban Community Services and related agencies. Shelter Guests join our shelter by referral through the Outreach Team process only. We are not able to intake Guests into our Shelter directly. If you or one of your neighbors are seeking shelter, please call 3-1-1 to be connected with a member of the New York City Department of Homeless Services Outreach Team.


Does your shelter house families? 

Our shelter does not house families at this time.


Is your shelter limited to any gender? 

Our shelter houses people of all genders.


How do you make sure that all the guests of the shelter are safe in the evening?

During all hours of operation, our shelter is staffed by Broadway Community staff and a private security company.


Do you have a laundry service for Guests of your shelter?

Yes, laundry service is available to Guests of our shelter seven days a week.

Soup Kitchen

Why is your soup kitchen referred to as being "four-star?"

Our long-time Chef and Food Services Director, Michael Ennes, proudly used to call the soup kitchen "four-star" because of the high quality food that was produced there. Chef Ennes and our Soup Kitchen were famously highlighted in a December 20th, 2006 article in The New York Times Dining Section, "On the Soup Line, Endive and Octopus."


Do you serve vegetarian options?

Every meal features a vegetarian option that is equally delicious to the non-vegetarian option.

 

I have an allergy. How can I know the foods you serve don't contain any ingredients to which I am allergic?

Ask a staff member or volunteer what ingredients are included with each particular dish. The staff member or volunteer will ask the Chef and report back to you shortly thereafter.


During what days and times is lunch served?

Our Community Lunch Program takes place each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 12:30pm to 1:30pm. You may see our service schedule here.


How many meals does Broadway Community serve annually?

Broadway Community serves over 20,000 lunches and 10,000 breakfasts each year.


How are meals distributed to Guests?

The health and safety of Broadway Community's Guests, staff, and volunteers is our highest priority. During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we distribute meals through a grab-and-go system. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, akin to a restaurant, we would serve meals on-site with the help of volunteer waiters and waitresses.


When will Broadway Community have congregate meals again?

The health and safety of our Guests, staff, and volunteers is our highest priority. As such, recognizing immediate dangers to individual and public health posed by the novel Coronavirus, outside of our shelter, we are exclusively serving meals through a grab-and-go system. We continue to closely monitor the public health situation and follow local, state, and federal guidance. We hope that in the coming months, as case numbers for the SARS-CoV-2 virus decline, we will be able to return to congregate meals.

Medical Services

Who provides medical services at Broadway Community?

Our incredible partners at the Institute for Family Health's Health Care for the Homeless Program provide all medical services offered at our facilities.


What kind of medical services are available at Broadway Community?

Our partners at the Healthcare for the Homeless Program makes health care services easily accessible to people experiencing homelessness. It provides medical care, behavioral health care, discounted medications, and referrals to other services. 


Can I receive medical services without an appointment?

Medical services are first-come first-serve. Appointments may be scheduled, but none are needed.


Do I need insurance to receive medical services?

The Health Care for the Homeless team can see people in need of medical care regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. The team’s case manager is available to assess eligibility and help eligible people apply for Medicaid.


When is the clinic open and what should I do when I arrive?

The clinic is open on Mondays from 1:00pm to 4:00pm, and on Wednesdays from 10:00am to 4:00pm. If the door is closed during the clinic's hours, please call us at 212-864-6100 ext.116 and a Health Care for the Homeless team member will come greet you.

Donations

What type of donations does Broadway Community accept?

Broadway Community accepts monetary donations and a wide range of in-kind donations. If you are considering donating to Broadway Community, kindly email isaac@broadwaycommunity.org or development@bpcnyc.org.


What food and kitchen items does Broadway Community need?

Applesauce, canned beans, canned chicken, canned fish (tuna and salmon), canned meat (corned beef, ham, etc.), canned vegetables, cereal (hot & cold, whole grain), coffee, condiments (mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, relish, pickles, roasted peppers), cooking oils (olive, canola, peanut), crackers, dried herbs and spices, fruit (canned and dried), fruit juices (100% fruit), granola bars, instant mashed potatoes, jellies (all fruit & preserves), meals in a box, milk alternatives (soy, almond, rice, coconut), other whole grains (quinoa, bulgur, etc.), nuts, pasta (whole wheat and semolina), peanut butter, reusable totes, rice (brown and white), shelf-stable and dry milk, soup, stew and chili (low sodium), spaghetti sauce, teas (black, green, herbal), Tupperware, tomato products (sauces, paste, whole, diced, & crushed), and large zip lock bags.


Is my donation tax deductible?

All donations made to Broadway Community are tax deductible. We are a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit. If you would like to receive a receipt as proof of your tax-deductible donation, please email admin@bpcnyc.org.


What is Broadway Community's EIN?

Broadway Community's EIN is 13-3652817.


How will I know that my contribution goes to those who are truly in need?

Broadway Community has a Platinum rating from GuideStar. We invite you to take a look around our website, review our financial statements, and visit our facilities to see how your contributions are helping us fulfill our mission to break down the barriers of poverty, inequity, and privilege –

until all are fed, in body and spirit.