On Tuesday, June 16, Alliance staff and volunteers joined advocates from the Food Bank for New York City and other agencies in demanding a City Budget that addresses the needs of people experiencing food insecurity. Hunger is on the rise in New York City. Food pantries and soup kitchens are vital for feeding vulnerable neighbors, and we feel it too at Alliance, where we served over 20,000 hot meals last year.
The Food Bank for New York City’s budget request is simple, and constitutes a fraction of the City’s multi-billion dollar annual budget:
$60M for Community Food Connection (CFC) - This ask amount is based on the previous allocation with an additional amount to meet rising fresh food costs and the needs of asylum seekers. Impact Numbers • CFC provides food to over 500 food pantries and soup kitchens across New York City, including Food Bank’s West Harlem Community Kitchen and Food Pantry.
$65.3M for meals for older adults Administered by the NYC Department For the Aging (DFTA), home delivered meals and congregate meal programs at older adult centers support older New Yorkers facing food insecurity who are unable to prepare meals, provide opportunities for socialization, and allow staff to do wellness checks and connect older New Yorkers to available resources. In a recent survey, 88% of member agencies reported serving a high number of older New Yorkers and an estimated 1 in 5 NYC adults over 60 live in poverty. Food Bank For New York City’s FY25 City Budget Prioritie
$10M to fully fund Groceries to Go Program Begun in response to the pandemic, Groceries to Go is administered by the NYC Dept of Health, with 8,000 New Yorkers currently enrolled receiving medication and meals. By maintaining the program’s current $10 million funding, the program can ensure ongoing service to current participants, and make possible the ability to expand and meet this growing need. Impact Numbers.
Restore $170M in cuts and fully fund Pre-K and 3-K programs and prioritize rollout of universal 3-K Access to programs like Universal PreK and 3K is a vital support for families struggling to stay in New York City. According to a recent report by Citizens’ Committee for Children, more than 80% of NYC families with young children cannot afford adequate childcare.