HH2008

NEW YORK CITY NEWS

Survey Shows Mounting Need, Dwindling Funds at City Emergency Food Programs

A record number of City soup kitchens and food pantries did not have enough food and were forced to turn away more seniors, working families and immigrants in the past year, according to data from NYCCAH’s 2008 Hunger Survey. 68.8% of agencies did not have enough food to meet the demand of their clients in 2008—up from 59% in 2007.

“We have people lining up for food two hours before we begin pantry distribution,” said Christina Baal, Director of Immigrant and Family Services at Cabrini Immigrant Services.

At the same time as demand for emergency food increased, the government slashed funding, with over 72% of responding agencies reporting a decrease in government funds over the past 12 months. “Funding has been dwindling for years but I’ve never seen it this bad,” said Christy Robb, Director of the Food Pantry at Hour Children in Long Island City.

Following the survey’s release, city and state officials joined with NYCCAH in calling for increased federal funding for emergency food programs; an increase in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits (formerly known as food stamps); and universal in-classroom free breakfasts in New York City public schools. “Eradicating hunger in New York City is a moral issue,” said City Council Member Eric Gioia. “The problem of hunger in New York City is a problem that all New Yorkers should care about- and one that we have the obligation to eliminate.”

To download a PDF of the full survey report, click here. For media coverage of the 2008 Hunger Survey, visit NYCCAH’s media page.

City Officials REAACT to Waiting Room Debate

Recent complaints of inadequate service at City Human Resources Administration (HRA) offices reignited a debate about who should be allowed to interact with SNAP (formerly known as food stamps) applicants in office waiting rooms. Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum’s office administered the survey of HRA service and is spearheading the Ready Access to Assistance Act (REAACT). REAACT would overturn a 1995 executive decision by then-Mayor Giuliani that barred advocates from offering assistance to SNAP clients in benefits office waiting rooms. HRA has opposed the act, claiming that such help desks could contribute to waiting room chaos.

REAACT has gained a veto-proof majority of support in City Council, but Speaker Christine Quinn has yet to schedule a hearing on the bill.

For SNAP applicants, who spend an average of 20 hours per year in HRA offices according to the recent survey, additional assistance could mean the difference between getting the benefits they need, and leaving their appointments empty-handed. But in order for the act to be administered effectively, there must be some harmonizing between the aims of advocates and HRA officials. If REACCT can move HRA one step further from the former Giuliani policy of “slashing the rolls” and towards the goal of getting clients the assistance they need, there may yet be hope for positive collaboration between advocates and benefits administrators.

Keeping the Green Going for City Food Pantries

A new partnership between NYCCAH and City Greenmarkets is ensuring that fresh bread and produce sold at the Carroll Gardens Greenmarket makes it to the tables of those who need it most. Starting this month, surplus food from the Carroll Gardens Sunday Greenmarket will be donated to the Hanson Place Campaign Against Hunger, a client-choice pantry in Fort Greene. The partnership will continue through the 2009 market season.

The Hanson Place Campaign Against Hunger’s food pantry provides food for over 135,000 meals each year. Like most pantries across the city, Hanson Place has struggled to provide fresh food for its clients, many of whom suffer from diet-related health conditions like diabetes and heart disease.

“Wholesome produce should not be a luxury item, and commonsense partnerships like this one can help to increase availability of such healthy foods for low-income New Yorkers,” said Brooklyn City Councilmember Bill de Blasio. NYCCAH and City Greenmarkets plan to replicate the donation model at pantries across the City in the coming market season.

STATE AND NATIONAL ROUNDUP

Senator Schumer Announces Plan For Increased Food Aid

At NYCCAH’s November 26^th survey press conference in Long Island City, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced a plan that would help improve food access for millions of hungry New Yorkers struggling this holiday season. The plan would increase desperately-needed federal funding for emergency food by $50 million, raise Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP--formerly known as the Food Stamps Program) funds by 10%, and encourage corporate and individual food donations by offering tax incentives to donors. Schumer introduced the plan following the release of NYCCAH’s 2008 Hunger Survey, which showed a sharp rise in demand and decline in funds at City soup kitchens and food pantries in the last year.

Schumer’s proposed increases in federal funding and SNAP provisions will be included in this month’s congressional debate on a second economic stimulus package. “For far too long, vital emergency food programs have been starved for funding and donations, said Schumer. This plan will be a shot in the arm for food banks and pantries by increasing needed federal aid, encouraging people everywhere to donate, and boosting food stamp support.” Schumer joins a growing number of legislators and policy strategists who have identified food stamp increases as an essential provision for an effective stimulus package.

Costco Continues SNAP Shutout

For the nearly 30,000 residents of the Queensbridge, Ravenswood and Astoria housing projects in Queens, living within walking distance of the Long Island City Costco has done little to improve their access to affordable food. The chain refuses to accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits (formerly known as food stamps), claiming that the $50 yearly membership fee would dissuade SNAP recipients from shopping there anyway.

With over million New Yorkers spending more than one billion dollars in SNAP benefits a year, Costco’s decision is both bad policy and bad business. Not only do retailers receive reimbursement for the full price of SNAP purchases, but the federal government offers chain retailers free equipment to process food stamp transactions. At a time when even higher-end grocers like Whole Foods and Fairway accept SNAP benefits, Costco’s refusal is a “glaring omission,” says Queens city councilman Eric Gioia.

As for the membership fee? Costco would do well to reconsider the buying capacity and economic values of low-income consumers, says Gioia. “Not only does [the fee] amount to 14 cents a day, but you’ll find that people who are on a fixed income and trying to feed their children become amazingly sophisticated at making smart economic choices.”

Richard Galanti, the chief financial officer and media representative of Costco, declined to comment on the policy.

		Senator Schumer Announces Plan For Increased Food Aid
		At NYCCAH’s November 26^th survey press conference in Long Island City, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced a plan that would help improve food access for millions of hungry New Yorkers struggling this holiday season. The plan would increase desperately-needed federal funding for emergency food by $50 million, raise Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP--formerly known as the Food Stamps Program) funds by 10%, and encourage corporate and individual food donations by offering tax incentives to donors. Schumer introduced the plan following the release of NYCCAH’s 2008 Hunger Survey, which showed a sharp rise in demand and decline in funds at City soup kitchens and food pantries in the last year. Schumer’s proposed increases in federal funding and SNAP provisions will be included in this month’s congressional debate on a second economic stimulus package. “For far too long, vital emergency food programs have been starved for funding and donations, said Schumer. This plan will be a shot in the arm for food banks and pantries by increasing needed federal aid, encouraging people everywhere to donate, and boosting food stamp support.” Schumer joins a growing number of legislators and policy strategists who have identified food stamp increases as an essential provision for an effective stimulus package.
		Costco Continues SNAP Shutout
		For the nearly 30,000 residents of the Queensbridge, Ravenswood and Astoria housing projects in Queens, living within walking distance of the Long Island City Costco has done little to improve their access to affordable food. The chain refuses to accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits (formerly known as food stamps), claiming that the $50 yearly membership fee would dissuade SNAP recipients from shopping there anyway. With over million New Yorkers spending more than one billion dollars in SNAP benefits a year, Costco’s decision is both bad policy and bad business. Not only do retailers receive reimbursement for the full price of SNAP purchases, but the federal government offers chain retailers free equipment to process food stamp transactions. At a time when even higher-end grocers like Whole Foods and Fairway accept SNAP benefits, Costco’s refusal is a “glaring omission,” says Queens city councilman Eric Gioia. As for the membership fee? Costco would do well to reconsider the buying capacity and economic values of low-income consumers, says Gioia. “Not only does [the fee] amount to 14 cents a day, but you’ll find that people who are on a fixed income and trying to feed their children become amazingly sophisticated at making smart economic choices.” Richard Galanti, the chief financial officer and media representative of Costco, declined to comment on the policy.