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- The Joy List: November 2
The Joy List: November 2
Hi there, my generous readers!
Federal funding for SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, often known as food stamps) has been cut for New Yorkers during the government shutdown.
For now, our governor has allotted over $100 million dollars in emergency funding to help feed New Yorkers.
And I won’t lie, when I saw that number, I was like “Well, we must be covered for a long time!”
WRONG. Turns out, NYC usually gives 3 million New Yorkers $650 million in SNAP benefits per MONTH. Another wild stat? SNAP covers 95 million meals PER MONTH in the city.
That means a lot of New Yorkers who were using SNAP will suddenly be without nutritional assistance.
And THAT means that other avenues for receiving food— like community fridges, food pantries, and soup kitchens— are about to receive a lot more visitors.
What can you do? Here are some options:
Donate money to a food pantry like New York Common Food Pantry.
I’m hoping that collectively, we can raise $1K for them by the end of the month! You can use this link to donate.
The money does not go through me. It will be collected and distributed by Paypal Giving at the end of 30 days.
Fun fact: From my googling around, money is better than food donations because the pantry can use it to get exactly what they need. They also have deals with bulk distributors, so they can make a dollar go way farther.Bring food you already have to a local food pantry or community fridge. Use this map to find food pantries and soup kitchens, and this map for community fridges. I brought some stuff to a community fridge by me, and it was almost all gone in an hour!
Side note: Looking at that map really makes me happy to see how much support is out there. People are good.Donate your time: Signing up for New York Care is a super easy way to find volunteer opportunities. Help support soup kitchens and food pantries while they have more guests!
Do you need support yourself?
The Plentiful app can help you register for different food assistance programs, and support you if you have allergies and/or other medical needs.
Also if you have EBT, you can use code SNAPRELIEF1 on GoPuff for $25 in free groceries.
If you’re struggling to afford food right now, you’re not alone. There are community resources designed to help without judgment.
Now, onto the events:
Gatherings
Double check details before you go, and contact the organizers with questions! The Joy List does not run these events.
Monday, November 3: Soup Soup
Originally founded in LA, Soup Soup is a space for kind, interesting humans to gather around meditation, music and food. The intention is to come as you are --- to reset, laugh, ground, eat, rest -- and to meet other interesting humans in the process.
Free. 7 to 10 PM. Williamsburg. Info here.
Wednesday, November 5: Sing ur Y2K heart out ⏐ Pop choir meet-up
Join fellow millennials and y2k lovers for an evening of harmonizing, throwing it back to the golden era of millennial pop! Whether you’re a karaoke queen, ex-theatre kid, or just want to sing with your friends, this is your time to shine.
Pay what you can ($20 suggested donation) ⏐ 6:30 - 8:30 pm ⏐ Houghton Hall Arts Community (Fairbanks Room), 22 E 30th St. Info here.
Thursday, November 6: Here & Now: A Phone-Free Experience (NYC)
A curated, phone-free social experience for ambitious people who want more out of their time offline.No notifications. No distractions. Just great people, deep conversations, and a menu of cocktails (NA included) and snacks available for purchase.Upon arrival, you'll check your phone with us for safekeeping. From there, your only job is to be fully present.
$25. 7-930PM. 158 Ludlow St, New York, NY 10002. Info here.
Thursday, November 6: An Evening of Poetry & Creativity
Come (re)discover the playful, generative power of poetry + creative arts with Ross and Lauren. Let your brain relax and your senses take over. Lauren will lead you into a poetic meditation followed by a performance. Ross will then open the floor for the open mic: song, poetry, comedy, tap dancing, the sky is the limit (and 4min is your time limit).
$15-$40, 7-10:30PM, 505 W 19th St, 3W, NYC. Info here.
Saturday, November 8: Collage Party
Join us for Collage Making For Liberation, a one-day course w/ Queens-based therapist and artist Ashley Lagrange.
In these sessions you’ll learn how to create collage art as a medium for political agitation and propaganda and as a tool for self-reflection and expression. Participants will gather inspiration from collage artists who have created intentional Agitprop and then be provided with prompts and materials to create their own.
Free. 1 to 3:30 PM. Elizabeth Catlett Art Space & Printmaking Studio. Info here.
Saturday, November 8: Cuddle Party!
A Cuddle Party is a guided workshop where we explore boundaries, communication, and consent in a fun, supportive environment. 💫The event ends with an optional freestyle cuddling period, where participants can practice what they’ve learned in a safe, platonic space.This is not a sexual event — the atmosphere is relaxed, friendly, and nurturing.The event follows the official Cuddle Party Inc. structure and standards.
Donation. 4pm-7:30pm, 128 Jefferson Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11216. Info here.
Sunday, November 9: Nature Discovery and Mindfulness in Prospect Park
Discover the hidden secrets of the park and the deeper stories within. There’s a whole world of untapped discovery right under our noses. Are you powering through your week, while wishing you had more relaxation and regenerative activity built in? Your recovery time is not at the party, it’s in the park with a group of wild minds.
$5-15, 10am, Prospect Park. Info here.
Sunday, November 9: Kinky Games Social
Join us at the lovely Hit Me Up space for a Sex Positive Social with fun and ridiculous games.The Night will include* Erotic Chocolate Station* Vendors with sexy treats* Tarot Readings* Clitsonary* Sexy Prizes* Free Wine and light Snacks* More games TBD
Our host and sex educator extraordinaire Niki Davis-Fainbloom will lead teams through a series of games designed to foster connection, accidental sex education, and to meet the other cuties that are nerdy enough to show up to a games night and cool enough to think that the Kinky version was for them!
$30 7pm 120 Walker Street. Info here.
What makes New York... New York? Join the talk with a NYT journalist and urbanist John Surico!
Join the talk with a NYT John Surico and know how New York City has evolved, from its earliest planning dreams to the bustling, complex metropolis we know today, hidden stories & local secrets, сhanges shaping NYC's future
Use code “JOYLISTWOLILO” for a 20% off!