June 5, 2015 – Hunger affects millions of people in our country, and for many communities the need is higher than most people realize. The rate of food insecurity among LGBT people nationwide is disproportionately high, with about one in four (27%) not having enough money to buy food at some point in the last year and the same amount receiving SNAP (food stamps), according to new research from the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law.
As the country’s largest food bank providing emergency food and services to 1.5 million New Yorkers, Food Bank For New York City not only serves the needs of our LGBT neighbors who are struggling to put food on the table, we are also working to raise awareness about the high levels of poverty and hunger within their community.
Yesterday, Triada Stampas, Food Bank’s Vice President of Research and Public Affairs, joined a panel of experts for a discussion on “Hunger and Food Insecurity in the LGBT Community,” which delved into the Williams Institute’s research and helped shed light on its implications for policymakers and service providers. In addition to a presentation of the new research by Gary Gates, Research Director at the Williams Institute, the event included introductory remarks by Barbara Turk, New York City Director of Food Policy. The panel discussion, moderated by Kim Kessler, Policy and Special Programs Director at the Resnick Program for Food Law and Policy at UCLA, also included Janet Poppendieck, Professor Emerita of Sociology and Policy Director at the NYC Food Policy Center at Hunter College and Elana Redfield, Director of LGBTQI Affairs, at the New York City Human Resources Administration.
Hunger can too easily remain invisible in our city. Most often it lives behind closed doors, out of public sight. The event’s conversation made clear how necessary bringing more visibility and attention to this problem – through research, awareness, resources and collaboration – will be in order to create community-centered solutions.