Our Story

Prabhuji Food Distribution is rooted in the teachings and example of our founder, Prabhuji. His life of compassion and service inspires us to see divinity in every being and to serve others as a sacred act. For us, feeding those in need is love in action.

This spirit of selfless service continues to guide every box of food we prepare and every family we serve.

Our journey began in 2007 in Manhattan, when Prabhuji witnessed large quantities of edible food being discarded while so many people went hungry on the streets. Moved by this painful contrast, he asked his disciples to begin rescuing surplus food from supermarkets and bakeries across the city.

The rescued food was delivered to soup kitchens, pantries, and directly to individuals experiencing homelessness — offering not only nourishment, but dignity, human connection, and hope.

In 2014, after establishing the Prabhuji Mission Ashram in rural Greene County, we expanded our efforts and began operating an on-site food pantry. While continuing food rescue operations in New York City, we brought rescued food to our upstate pantry each week, distributing it to local families with limited access to affordable, healthy food.

Word spread quickly, and more families began to rely on our program. With a handful of volunteers and limited resources, we soon found ourselves serving approximately 300 people per month.

We became a partner agency of the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York — tripling our reach and significantly expanding the variety and quantity of food we could provide.

The pandemic brought an unprecedented surge in need. We quickly shifted to a drive-through distribution model to ensure safety and continuity. During this time, we served more than 1,100 people per month — nearly triple the number from just a few years earlier.

We acquired a refrigerated trailer to store perishable food safely and began weekly food rescues from Hannaford Supermarket through the Retail Partner Agency Program.

Through continued partnerships and infrastructure expansion, including joining the Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program (HPNAP) and purchasing a 16-foot box truck capable of transporting up to 5,000 pounds of food per trip, the program continued to grow significantly.

By 2024, we were serving an average of over 1,360 individuals per month.
In 2025, that number increased to an average of over 1,520 individuals per month — the highest in our history.

Today, Prabhuji Food Distribution serves hundreds of households each month across more than 35 towns and 9 counties. Many of the families we serve include single parents, elderly individuals living alone, and multi-generational households.

Each week, our dedicated team of ministers and volunteers unloads, sorts, prepackage, and distribute nutritious food with warmth and care. What began as a small rescue effort has evolved into a regional hunger relief initiative serving over 18,000 individuals annually.

Our service is more than food — it is a gesture of love, respect, and human connection. Behind every hand that receives a box is a story that matters.

We believe that no one should go hungry, and that every person deserves to be seen, honored, and supported. Every box we prepare is offered with compassion and dignity.