Who We Help

In New York City, 1 in 5 people rely on the Food Bank For New York City’s programs and services to keep food on the table. Among the 1.4 million New Yorkers who rely on soup kitchens and food pantries, women, children, seniors, the working poor and people with disabilities make up the largest groups. Facing challenges such as low wages, unemployment and healthcare costs, these groups are particularly vulnerable to food poverty. We hope that you will take a moment to meet a few of the New Yorkers whom your support helps us reach, though reading key statistics and personal stories.

Women     Children     Seniors     The Working Poor     People with Disabilities

Women

• Among women in NYC, 42 percent experienced difficulty affording food in 2010 — up 50 percent since 2003. (NYC Hunger Experience 2010)
• Almost two-thirds of New Yorkers visiting food pantries are women (64 percent). (NYC Hunger Safety Net 2007)
• More than 1 out of every 5 women in NYC (22 percent) would not be able to afford needed food immediately after losing their household income. (NYC Hunger Experience 2010)

Meet women we help:
Linda >
Susan >

Children

• One in five children in New York City relies on emergency food. (NYC Hunger Safety Net 2007)
• More than three quarters (76 percent) NYC households with children had difficulty affording needed food in 2010 — a 38 percent increase from 2003. (NYC Hunger Experience 2010)
• More than 1 in 4 children in NYC (27 percent) lived below the federal poverty level in 2009 (20 percent in the US). (US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2008) 

Our Approach to Child Hunger
Recognizing the severity of child hunger in our city, the Food Bank employs a multi-pronged approach to ending this problem, includin food distribution, nutrition education and income support for families with children. Learn More >

Meet families with children:
John >
Wendy >

Seniors

• More than 1 in 4 seniors in NYC (28 percent) experienced difficulty affording needed food in 2010 — a 22 percent increase since 2003. (NYC Hunger Experience 2010)
• Approximately 1 in 6 elderly New Yorkers (nearly 154,000) receives food from soup kitchens and food pantries. (NYC Hunger Safety Net 2007)
• Almost 1 in 5 seniors in NYC (18 percent) lives below the federal poverty level (10 percent in the US). (US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2008)

Meet seniors we help:

Howard >
Moses >

The Working Poor

• More than 1 in 5 (21 percent) NYC residents standing in line at soup kitchens and food pantries are employed, while 57 percent work full time. (NYC Hunger Safety Net 2007)
• One-third (33 percent) of employed NYC residents experienced difficulty affording needed food in 2010. (NYC Hunger Experience 2010)
• The average income for NYC households accessing emergency food that have employed members is $1,507 per month. (NYC Hunger Safety Net 2007)

Meet low-income New Yorkers we help:
Betty >
Wendy >

People with Disabilities

• Almost one-third (31 percent) of disabled adults in NYC live below the federal poverty level (21 percent in the US). (US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2008)
• More than 1 in 5 (22 percent) NYC residents turning to soup kitchens and food pantries receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and 6 percent receive Social Security Disability Income (SSDI). (NYC Hunger Safety Net 2007)
• On average, NYC residents who access emergency food and are enrolled in Supplemental Security Income (SSI) receive $647 per month. (NYC Hunger Safety Net 2007)

Meet people with disabilities we help:
Hector >
Moses >