Banana Kelly Community Improvement Association Inc.

Banana Kelly Community Improvement Association Inc. Our mission is to contribute to a revitalized, safe and economically vibrant South Bronx.

A time was had in the South Bronx tonight. The 41st Precinct’s National Night Out Against Crime brought out families, y...
08/05/2026

A time was had in the South Bronx tonight.

The 41st Precinct’s National Night Out Against Crime brought out families, youth, elders, community organizations, and local leadership for a night of unity and safety at Bill Rainey Park. This was a community‑wide effort, and everyone who showed up helped make it special.

At our table, residents picked up pantry food through our long‑standing partnership with New York Common Pantry, while also getting information about People’s Credit Union, located inside our building at 941 Intervale Avenue. In a neighborhood where check‑cashing places outnumber banks, pantry support and fair financial services work together to strengthen stability.

For credit union hours or membership details, residents can stop by the 941 Intervale office directly.

The park was full of energy face painting, giveaways, youth activities, health resources, transportation updates, and neighbors connecting.
Community partners included:

- MetroPlusHealth
- Urban Health Plan
- NYC Parks
- Project FoodBox & Phoenix FoodBox
- Penn Station Access
- NYPD Explorers & Community Affairs
- Local nonprofits and neighborhood groups

And we could not forget the elected leadership that also came through strong, such as:

- Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson
- Council Member Justin Sanchez’s office
- Senator Sepúlveda’s office
- Assemblymember Emerita Torres’ office

Tonight showed what National Night Out is all about neighbors, organizations, and leadership working together for a safer, stronger South Bronx.

📍 Bill Rainey Park
💙 Community first. Always.

08/05/2026

Check out what the youth at 970 Prospect Ave Hydroponic Farm & Community Garden are setting off this summer.
With Marc from Mi Oh My Farm guiding them, they built out a drip irrigation system to grow strawberries, okra, and sweet peas.

This is real work, real knowledge, and real community impact.

For more information or to get involved, contact Shen’naque Sean Butler at [email protected].

We’re outside for National Night Out at Bill Rainey Park and we're pulling out all the stops! From free BBQ, music, game...
08/03/2026

We’re outside for National Night Out at Bill Rainey Park and we're pulling out all the stops!

From free BBQ, music, games, and community resources for the whole block, it's an vent you don't want to miss out on. Location and details are located below, so that you don't miss out.

📅 Tuesday, Aug 4 | 3–7 PM
📍 810 Dawson St

Pull up and connect with Banana Kelly and other organizations that service in the South Bronx!

Month after month, year after year, residents in Longwood and Hunts Point have learned that when it comes to food relief...
08/03/2026

Month after month, year after year, residents in Longwood and Hunts Point have learned that when it comes to food relief, they can count on Banana Kelly. At our most recent two‑day distribution, Banana Kelly Youth were running the show.

They were packing bags, organizing the food, controlling the lines, talking to residents, and keeping everything smooth. Their presence wasn’t just helpful it was the heartbeat of the whole operation.

And none of this happens without our partners who show up for the Bronx:

New York Common Pantry
- For the emergency “just in case” pantry food on Monday.

Rethink Food / Rap 4 The Bronx
- For the farm‑fresh produce on Tuesday that gives our community the nutrition they need right now.

When organizations come together, the Bronx gets more more resources, more support, more care. Collaboration is how we meet both sides of what our residents face every day.

If your organization or team wants to support these monthly events or partner with us, reach out to Shen’naque Sean Butler at [email protected].

Banana Kelly: Where Care Meets the Community.

The fun at the Banana Kelly Summer Camp is never ending! Just recently, our campers had an amazing field trip filled wit...
07/30/2026

The fun at the Banana Kelly Summer Camp is never ending!

Just recently, our campers had an amazing field trip filled with adventure, discovery, and plenty of smiles right here at the Bronx Zoo! They were able to watch majestic animals up close while learning about wildlife from around the world. It was a day packed with fun and excitement!

A big thank you to our incredible staff for making this trip safe, engaging, and memorable, and to our campers for bringing such wonderful energy and curiosity. We can't wait to see what our next adventure brings!

Summer camp is in full swing over here at Banana Kelly! Our campers have been learning, laughing, exploring, and making ...
07/22/2026

Summer camp is in full swing over here at Banana Kelly!

Our campers have been learning, laughing, exploring, and making memories that will last a lifetime. Ranging from exciting games, arts and crafts, to outdoor adventures and new friendships, every day is filled with fun and opportunities to grow.

We're immensely proud of the energy, kindness, and enthusiasm our campers bring each day and we want to dedicate a huge thank you to our dedicated staff, volunteers, and families for making this summer so special.

At Banana Kelly’s Hydroponic Farm & Community Garden at 970 Prospect Avenue, we’re introducing young minds to agricultur...
07/17/2026

At Banana Kelly’s Hydroponic Farm & Community Garden at 970 Prospect Avenue, we’re introducing young minds to agriculture in a way that feels joyful, hands-on, and deeply connected to the South Bronx.

With support from our partners at Mi Oh My Farm, children get to touch soil, discover worms, harvest microgreens, and learn how food grows both in the ground and through hydroponic systems.

These early experiences help young people understand that food has a story, and that they have the power to shape that story for themselves and their community.

This work is rooted in something simple but powerful: collaboration. When organizations come together, our neighborhood gains more opportunities, more learning, and more spaces where youth can explore agriculture, sustainability, and self-sufficiency.

Youth programs, after-school groups, and summer camps are always welcome to visit and be part of this growing movement.

For partnership inquiries or site visits, contact Shen’naque Sean Butler at [email protected]

We’re growing plants but we’re also growing confidence, curiosity, and a generation that understands the power of feeding itself.

06/26/2026

New York just won a rent freeze on BOTH 1 year and 2 year leases the first tenant‑driven rent freeze since 2015.

The streets were packed.
The Bronx was deep.
People were out there with signs. Voices filled the auditorium until it hit capacity.

Hundreds more stood outside, listening through the speakers place outside, refusing to be pushed out of the process.

That’s what it took to win this.
That’s what it always takes.
People showing up for each other.

And Banana Kelly is proud to stand alongside the many organizations, tenant leaders, and neighbors across the city who made this moment possible.

This is a win for the Bronx.
A win for New York.
A win earned in the streets.

The Bronx showed up today. Banana Kelly members stood in full unity with our coalition partners in BLOC – the Bronx Lea...
06/08/2026

The Bronx showed up today.

Banana Kelly members stood in full unity with our coalition partners in BLOC – the Bronx Leadership & Organizing Center and organizations from across the borough to hold the Rent Guidelines Board accountable and demand a rent freeze.

You’ll see us in purple and white because when we’re in coalition, we drop our usual green and white and stand under one banner. Different orgs, different backgrounds, one fight.

The energy on those steps was real: voices raised, signs lifted, communities united, all pushing for the same goal protecting Bronx families from another rent increase.

This is what solidarity looks like.
This is what community power feels like.

This is how the Bronx defends its people.

Banana Kelly is proud to stand with BLOC and all our partners fighting for housing justice and stability in the Bronx.





Hi Community Members, We here at Banana Kelly are proud to share that The College Avenue Community Garden of Hope got a ...
05/20/2026

Hi Community Members,

We here at Banana Kelly are proud to share that The College Avenue Community Garden of Hope got a full refresh this week, and we’re grateful for every hand that showed up.

Thank you to our partners at Acacia Network for bringing strong energy, harm‑reduction values, and real labor to this cleanup effort.

We also want to uplift Ms. Wanda Sweeney longtime garden steward, resident council leader, and the heart of this green space.

For decades, Ms. Sweeney has protected, nurtured, and fought for this garden on College Avenue, right across from Patterson Houses. Her leadership keeps this space alive for the community.

Together, we cleared overgrowth, opened up pathways, and prepared the garden for a season of growth, gathering, and healing.

This is what Bronx collaboration looks like organizations, residents, and elders working side by side to care for the land and each other.

If you’d like to get involved with the College Avenue Community Garden of Hope or support future green‑space work, contact:
Shen’naque Sean Butler [email protected] | 516‑669‑0218

Address

863 Prospect Avenue
New York, NY
10459

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+17183281064

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Banana Kelly Community Improvement Association Inc. posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Banana Kelly Community Improvement Association Inc.:

Shortcuts

Featured

Share

Category