Or Zarua brings the food

Neighborhood Coalition for Shelter is proud of our Upper East Side roots. Our organization started as a coalition of local churches, synagogues, and community organizations—and we are thankful that forty years later, many of these same institutions continue to care for their neighbors, including the tenants at the NCS Residence.  

Twice a month, volunteers from Congregation Or Zarua bring hot, healthy dinners to the Residence. Before the pandemic, the volunteers stayed to enjoy the meal alongside the residents. When communal meals were suspended to keep everyone safe, the volunteers continued to arrive with platters of food that they portioned into individual take-out containers. 

Food is one of the primary needs our residents have. When volunteers, like those from Or Zarua, bring hot meals, it not only provides nourishment for the clients, but also lets them know that they are a valued part of the community and that their neighbors care about them.  

Thank you to everyone at Or Zarua who gives of their time to make these meals happen! 

In honor of NCS’s 40th anniversary, we will be sharing stories about our founders, volunteers, supporters, and staff who make our work possible, and the residents and clients at the center of our mission.
Check back throughout the year as we regularly update the series with new stories from our 40 years here.