“CookShop’s lessons have students readily eating vegetables in our cafeteria that my nutritionist and our parents have told me they were not eating before.
CookShop is an essential weapon in our healthy living– healthy eating fight to change the obesity rates in our school and in our neighborhood.”
—C.S. 21 Principal Harold Anderson
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Women
With one out of five (20 percent) of women in New York City living below the federal poverty level – compared to 15 percent nationwide- women are one of the largest groups relying on food assistance throughout the five boroughs. Learn more below about our city's women in need with key statistics and stories from the women we help.
- Among women in NYC, 46 percent experienced difficulty affording food in 2009 — up 64 percent since 2003. (NYC Hunger Experience 2009)
- Almost two-thirds (64 percent) of New Yorkers visiting food pantries are women. (NYC Hunger Safety Net 2007)
- Almost one out of every five (18 percent) of women in NYC would not be able to afford needed food immediately after losing their household income. (NYC Hunger Experience 2009)
Read stories below from women who have received assistance through our network of more than 1,000 food assistance programs throughout the five boroughs. Real names are not used.
Wendy, Queens food pantry guest
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"I've been coming to the food pantry here for about two years. I try not to come every month — just when it's really necessary. There's so much need in the neighborhood, the food really should to go to the people who are most in need.
"My sister and I both get food stamps, and she gets some WIC [Women, Infants and Children], but it's still hard to keep the fridge full by the end of the month. Her little boy just had his first birthday. My sister isn't working right now so I helped out a bit so she could have family over for a little party. If the pantry wasn't here to help out, my sister and I'd both be in a bad place right now.
"You know, if you don't really need this you wouldn't wait in line. The line always goes around the block, and people are here even when it rains. These people, a lot of them need to come every week. They really need this food."
We met Wendy at the Hour Children food pantry in Queens, a Food Bank network member.
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Linda, Brooklyn food pantry guest
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"This is the first food pantry I've ever come to. I lost my job about a year ago. I've been able to find occasional work, but I've been basically unemployed ever since.
"I found out what hunger is. It was humbling. I lost weight. And I really learned how to stretch a dollar. I'm recently divorced, so it's just been me trying to get by. My brother helps here and there with a small loan, but it's not easy for him either.
"I had food stamps for six months, but I lost that because I had too much income from unemployment. This food pantry is saving my life. I come here once a week to pick up what I need. They helped me file my taxes too.
"The good news is I've been hired! If I'm still eligible for tax assistance I'll come back next year, but soon I'll able to afford my groceries again. I'm picking up a donation envelope on my way out today. I'm really looking forward to that first paycheck."
We met Linda at the Reaching Out client-choice food pantry in Brooklyn, a Food Bank network member.
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Jerralyn, Bronx food pantry guest
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"I turned 30 this March. I was working with the city Park's Enforcement Patrol, but I stopped working four months ago when I was in the eighth month of my pregnancy. I don't have a job to go back to now because the rules say you have to work for nine months before being eligible for maternity leave.
"This summer I filled out a food stamp application, and for the last three months I've received $107 every month in food stamps. I also have Section 8 rent subsidy and I pay only $221 a month for rent. I also receive $206 a week in unemployment.
"Still, it's very hard to survive. I have a five-year-old daughter. My boyfriend left me when he found out I was pregnant with the twins. I have friends and relatives helping me out, and his side of the family helps out too because they feel bad. Since I grew up in a group home, my dream is to have a nice job to be able to give my children a good home. For now, I'm glad the food pantry here is able to help us out."
We met Jerralyn during pick-up at the CAB Morris Senior Center food pantry in the Bronx, a Food Bank network member. Although the center primarily serves senior citizens, Jerralyn was able to receive a pantry bag with nutritious food for herself and her family.
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