NEW YORK (amNY.com) — Leslie Gordon, President & CEO of Food Bank For NYC, wrote an op-ed on childhood hunger, published by amNY. This piece highlights the challenges families face accessing sufficient meal support during the summer months.
More than 416,000 children struggle to find nutritious meals and many NYC families rely on school-provided lunch and breakfast to supplement their grocery budget. Feeding America’s Map The Meal Gap report, published earlier this year, found that 23.5 percent of children under 18 live in households that are food insecure.
These families often must make tough choices to afford childcare, rent, nutritious food, and other necessities. Food Bank For NYC is working toward closing this gap with our partners throughout all five boroughs.
“We need to expand access to summer meal programs and make sure people know about the resources available, like local food banks, soup kitchens, and community centers,” wrote Leslie. “We also need the public’s help so that we can ensure there is enough funding, volunteers, and support for our city’s most vulnerable residents.”
Leslie is dedicated to raising awareness about food insecurity and advocating for all New Yorkers in need across the five boroughs.
About Food Bank
Driven by our mission to empower every New Yorker to achieve food security for good, we harness the collective power of our network of food providers, partners, and volunteers to activate the right resources, supports, and expertise across the five boroughs. Our work with more than 800 soup kitchens, food pantries, and campus partners provides immediate and reliable access to food and nutrition education, while our economic empowerment programs give people the tools and know-how to improve their financial wellness. Community by community, we work together to make progress on a more hopeful, dignified, and equitable future for all.