This article and video interview with originally appeared on NY1.com
NEW YORK, March 17, 2025 — Leslie Gordon, President & CEO of Food Bank For New York City, sat down with Spectrum News NY1 to discuss the ongoing hunger crisis five years after the COVID-19 pandemic began. Food Bank For New York City continues to see long lines of families in need, as 1.3 million New Yorkers struggle to afford food.
“I’d love to say we’re seeing less need since COVID, but that’s simply not the case,” said Leslie Gordon, President & CEO of Food Bank For NYC. “The demand for food in this city is just as high—or higher—than it was pre-COVID.”
Food prices, rent, and other basic costs have skyrocketed, outpacing wage increases and making it harder for low-income families to recover. At Holy Apostles in Chelsea, meal service has surged from 345,000 meals pre-COVID to over 2 million today.
Food Bank remains an essential line of defense, not just in times of crisis but year-round. Advocates warn that potential federal SNAP cuts could cost NYC nearly $1 billion in food assistance, worsening the crisis.
“We still need your help,” Gordon said. “Volunteer, advocate, and donate. Hunger is as urgent today as it was during the pandemic.”