Some managers of food banks and pantries that gathered last Wednesday in Albany. According to them, New York is failing to address a growing hunger crisis affecting seniors, veterans and children around the state.
Overall, more than 3 million New York residents rely on emergency food programs. Compared with a total population of 20 million, the hungry problem hits many people, such as veterans, seniors, and working families especially hard, based on the clients who are utilizing food pantries.
These managers are asking lawmakers and Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo to approve an additional $16.5 million to fight hunger in New York, especially for the state's Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program. The group believes the number amounts to a pittance when put in the context of a $145 billion state budget. Cuomo's budget proposal for the next fiscal year includes $34.5 million for the Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program.
Natasha Thompson is president and CEO of the Food Bank of the Southern Tier, which distributed more than 10 million pounds of food to 151 agencies in six counties in 2014. He argues that the money is needed to respond to increased demand prompted by rising food costs and cutbacks in federal assistance programs.
Not only food bank managers, a group of lawmakers are involving in the appeal. They signed on to a letter in support of the funding increase, including members of both parties in the Assembly and Senate.
A spokesman for Cuomo noted that Cuomo's budget contains $45 million in new funds to increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour. And this would lift 2.3 million New Yorkers out of poverty and also relieve the hunger problem. A new budget is due from the governor and lawmakers on April 1.
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