In a survey of teachers participating in our CookShop nutrition-education program for children, teens and adults, more than 97 percent reported their students more likely to try a new, healthy food because of the program.
Meanwhile, 96 percent reported their students want to eat healthier and 92 percent said their students are actually making healthier food choices because of CookShop.
|
Join Our
Online Community |
|
|
Seniors
Seniors are one of the largest groups that rely on soup kitchens and food pantries throughout the five boroughs. In addition to the challenges associated with New York City's low-income neighborhoods, seniors in need must confront various issues associated with old age, including medical problems and the need for assistance to complete daily tasks. Learn more below about New York City's seniors in need with key statistics and stories from the seniors we help.
- Approximately one out of every six elderly New Yorkers (approximately 154,000) receives food from soup kitchens and food pantries. (NYC Hunger Safety Net 2007)
- Almost one out of five (19 percent) seniors in NYC (10 percent in the US) lives below the federal poverty level (approximately $18,000 per year for a family of three). (US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2008)
- More than one out of every three (38 percent) seniors in NYC experienced difficulty affording needed food — a 65 percent increase since 2003 (NYC Hunger Experience 2009)
- Less than one-fifth (19 percent) of households with seniors accessing emergency food are enrolled in the federal Food Stamp Program, lower than the overall average of 46 percent. (NYC Hunger Safety Net 2007)
In all of the above statistics, seniors are defined as 65 and older.
Read stories below from seniors who have received assistance through our network of more than 1,000 food assistance programs throughout the five boroughs. Real names are not used.
Mona, Staten Island food pantry guest
|
|
"I lost my husband ten years ago. He was a mailman. I was younger then, you know, and could do more for myself, but after a while I just couldn't handle everything on my own. So I started coming here four years ago. I have to. Medicine is so expensive. I'm under supervision at home because I have arthritis and high blood pressure. My neighbor is such a good man. He helps me around the house and comes here with me. I need a lot of help.
"I have kids and grandkids in the neighborhood, but...none of them are well off. It's just so nice to have a place to go every week to see these nice people. They're like a family here. Everyone supports each other."
We met Mona during pick-up at the Richmond Senior Services choice-style food pantry, a Food Bank network member.
|
Ann, Queens meals-on-heels recipient
|
|
"I've never had to ask for help before. It's been terribly hard and frustrating trying to get help from the government. I've always been independent and have never had to depend on anyone or any place. That is, until now.
"I worked my entire life. But I'm homebound now and I live by myself. I need a lot of help. I lived through the Depression and know how to stretch a dollar. But $600 in Social Security a month is just not enough. That's supposed to cover rent, food, clothes, bills? I've tried and tried to get government assistance, but apparently my income is too high. Without the food I get delivered, I don't know how I'd survive."
We met Ann while accompanying meal delivery for a meals-on-heels program at One Way Church of Christ in Queens, a Food Bank network member.
|
|
|
