Thousands of families could lose lifeline as Coney Island food bank faces closure
Executive director of the mission, Pastor Tony Robbins, warns that without $100,000 in emergency funding, the pantry could be forced to shut down in January.
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The volunteers at the Coney Island Lighthouse Mission food bank have it down to a science, serving more than 7,000 families a month for the past 25 years.
“Twice a month because I’m [a] widow who’s disabled and [on a] minimum pension, [It’s] helped me do my life," said Serafema, a long-time recipient.
But executive director of the mission, Pastor Tony Robbins, warns that without $100,000 in emergency funding, the pantry could be forced to shut down in January.
“We lost a lot of major donors in 2020 — businesses closed, people passed on — and ever since then, we’ve been struggling to get funding to come in,” Robbins said.
The mission on Mermaid Avenue was packed Thursday, but Edward Hyland says that’s not unusual.
“I’ve seen it longer than this," Hyland said. "I’ve seen it go up and around the corner."
“I don’t even want to think about it. We really need it. Just look at the people out here," said Donna Nelson, another recipient.
Robbins says the challenge isn’t food or volunteers — it’s money to pay rent, keep the lights on and keep the food refrigerated.
“We also have an after-school program that hosts about 25 kids," Robbin's said. "We have a sleeping bag project that gives sleeping bags to people suffering from homelessness,” he said.
Those who want to help can call the Coney Island Lighthouse Mission or donate online at GoFundMe.
