During one of his recent radio broadcasts, Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced that more funds will be given to benefit soup kitchens and food pantries.
“There’s just no room for hunger or malnutrition in the world’s greatest city,” Bloomberg said. “That’s why every day, faith-based organizations, community groups, and men and women of good will all work hard to relieve hunger in New York.”
Bloomberg said that the city government is also doing its part to aid the situation. The city is increasing its funding to the city’s “Emergency Food Assistance Program,” which includes more than 500 of its soup kitchens and food pantries, by $1 million.
“These community-based organizations provide food to nearly 900,000 New Yorkers every month,” Bloomberg said. “We’re injecting more funds into these programs now because their expenses have grown. In part that’s because of inflation; it’s also because these programs have started stocking more nutritious foods that cost a bit more.”
Bloomberg said that the money is coming from the federal government as part of a bonus package earned by the city after making improvements to the Food Stamp program management.
Another measure that the city is taking is improving the system that lets people know about getting needed food. Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., people seeking information can call 311 and speak with a specially trained operator. Based on each individual’s needs, the operators will be able to pinpoint locations and hours.
There will also still be an automated system that can be contacted 24 hours a day.
Through January 4, the New York City Police and Fire Departments will also be collected non-perishable foods to donate to City Harvest. Donations can be dropped off at any station house.
Bloomy boosts funding to feed the hungry
By Jessica Lyons
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