Thousands of families could lose lifeline as Coney Island food bank faces closure

"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.""

Volunteers at the Coney Island Lighthouse Mission food bank serve more than 7,000 families each month and have operated for 25 years. The pantry provides twice-monthly distributions that support disabled widows and low-pension residents. The operation faces a potential shutdown in January without $100,000 in emergency funding after losing many major donors in 2020 due to business closures and deaths. The pantry often remains packed, indicating sustained need. The primary financial pressures are rent, utilities, and refrigeration costs, while food supplies and volunteer support currently meet demand. The mission also runs an after-school program for about 25 children and a sleeping bag project for people experiencing homelessness. Donations accepted by phone or via GoFundMe.

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