NEW YORK—Anti-hunger advocates today said that strong government action is needed to respond to the rapidly increasing incidence of hunger in New York State. Emergency food programs in New York and nationwide are reporting an unprecedented increase in the demand for help.
The Hunger Action Network of NYS and the Faith and Hunger Network are calling for the basic welfare grant to be raised from $291 a month for a family of 3 to $475, and to raise the state funding for emergency food programs to $33 million. ($27.85 million was initially appropriated in the 2008-09 state budget).
“We are serving more now than any time in our 26 year history,” noted Mother Liz Maxwell, Executive Director of Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen. “While we are seeing this unprecedented demand, we are also getting fewer and smaller donations from individuals. It’s a perfect storm that’s raging around the most vulnerable.”
“Year after year, we have given major tax cuts to the wealthiest New Yorkers. We should roll back those tax cuts a little, before we consider cutting important programs,” said Assembly Member Richard N. Gottfried, chair of the Assembly Health Committee. “It won’t hurt their wallets… they understand it’s the right thing to do.”
Monday November 24th is the annual statewide Thanksgiving Fast and Action Against Hunger. Individuals throughout New York State are fasting for one day to show their solidarity with those New Yorkers who are forced to go hungry due to a lack of resources. Fasters are urged to donate the food they would have eaten that day to a local food pantry, soup kitchen or shelter.
