Juan De La Cruz serves and delivers hundreds of meals to New Yorkers in need every night.

He’s been doing it for nearly fifteen years, but says the need is greater now than ever before.

“With COVID-19, a lot of people not working, a lot people not being able to do their livelihood, obviously cannot afford to support themselves,” he said.

De La Cruz works for the Grand Central Food Program, which is a mobile soup kitchen.

He says lines for meals have nearly doubled, compared to this time last year because of the pandemic. Now on top of that, De La Cruz is preparing for the impending snow storm.

“You know, now you had probably two or three times the amount of people asking for sleeping bags, asking for coats, asking for warm items,” he said. 

He says inclement weather can put a strain on the programs resources, which are already stretched-thin, but they still find a way, because so many depend on them.

“People know when to expect us and trust that we will be there,” he said. 

That trust is important to Charles Jordan, who says he’s been homeless since Thanksgiving.

“They pull a lot of weight around this block, around this area. You can always [count on] a bunch of people out here, we depend on them nightly, you know what I mean?” said Jordan. 

De La Cruz says it’s about more than just handing out food. He’s developed friendships with many of the people the program serves.

“It’s a bond that’s been formed over a number of years, unfortunately people have been out sometimes for years and we are a source of, a resource for them,” said De La Cruz. “They need advice on a job, we’re here for that as well.”

The Grand Central Food Program delivers as many as 1,200 meals a night, making 25 stops around the city.