“Hungry people aren’t always in soup kitchens, sometimes they are walking the aisles of the ShopRites making decisions, tough decisions, about how they are going to feed their families….
"That is why we became engaged with the Food Bank — to help put a stop gap measure in there.”
—Christine Magyartis, Wakefern Food Corporation.
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The Working Poor
Someone working full time, year-round at the current minimum wage earns approximately $15,000, pre-tax — which puts an individual with two dependants below the poverty level. With this in mind, it is easy to see why the working poor is one of the largest groups relying on soup kitchens and food pantries in New York City. Learn more below about our city's working poor with key statistics and stories from the people we help.
- More than one out of every five (21 percent) NYC residents standing in line at soup kitchens and food pantries are employed, and among them 57 percent work full time. (NYC Hunger Safety Net 2007)
- The average income for NYC households accessing emergency food that have employed members is $1,507 per month. (NYC Hunger Safety Net 2007)
- More than one-third (37 percent) of NYC households with an employed member experienced difficulty affording needed food in 2009. (NYC Hunger Experience 2009)
- Less than one-third (31 percent) of employed households accessing emergency food are enrolled in the federal Food Stamp Program, lower than the overall average of 46 percent. (NYC Hunger Safety Net 2007)
Read stories below from low-income New Yorkers who have received assistance through our network of more than 1,000 food assistance programs throughout the five boroughs. Real names are not used.
Betty, Manhattan food pantry guest
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"Fortunately I had a mother and father who took care of us. They weren't rich, but they made do and we never had to be on welfare. Plus, I have a college education and served in the U.S. Army, in a medical unit. So I really didn't want to go through having to rely on public assistance.
"I have friends who need regular assistance. Fortunately that didn't happen to me and my family, but I admit, there was one time I did need it. And I felt that I was blessed to be able to find help.
"I'm not on public assistance any more, thank god, but it's still a struggle. I work for a health care agency, but it's not enough. And I'm getting too old to work. I go grocery shopping about once a month. I buy the essentials I need for nutrients. What I need to survive.
"After talking to a neighbor two years ago, she brought me here to the soup kitchen. I've always come to the tax assistance program here, but I never thought about coming for food. Now I come twice a week. I couldn't get by without this."
We met Betty during pick-up at the Food Bank's Community Kitchen & Food Pantry of West Harlem.
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Michael, Staten Island food pantry guest
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"I started coming to the food pantry two years ago. I was working full time then, but still sometimes I'd be struggling at the end of the month. During a real rough patch once, I mentioned it to a friend at church and they told me about the program here.
"You can't live on just rice and beans. If you don't eat, you can't work. I haven't had full time work for the past year though, and I don't know what I would have done without the food I get here.
"I have some family in Grant City and New Dorp. We all help each other when we can, having each other over for dinner and whatnot. Right now I'm taking care of my cousin's kids while he works out west, and let me tell you, milk and cereal is expensive!"
We met Michael during pick-up at the Community Health Action of Staten Island food pantry, a Food Bank network member.
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Liz, mother of a Bronx after-school program participant
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"I have three children. My oldest is 14 and my youngest is six. Being a single parent, and working two jobs to make ends meet, I don't always find time to prepare the well-balanced, nutritional meals I would like to. My days are full trying to make enough to provide for my family. So, sometimes it's only pizza or sandwiches or something quick. My big concern is making sure my kids are eating healthy.
"I get food stamps but it's not enough. When you have growing kids, you can definitely use all the help you can get. Most of my family is in North Carolina and spread across the country, so it basically leaves me and my children to fend for ourselves.
"I am glad my kids get their nutrition from meals at the after-school program throughout the week. Knowing that my children are in a safe environment and are provided with recreation and education facilities after school makes my life a lot easier.
"My kids are also learning about health and nutrition. At home, my youngest one often runs from the dinner table to the Food Pyramid chart on our wall, to make sure that we are eating a balanced meal."
We met Liz at the Cafe Cielo after-school program in the Bronx, a Food Bank network member where her children receive nutritious meals as well as nutrition and fitness education.
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