This latest report from the Coalition Against Hunger further proves what we all know to be true across this City...the most vulnerable New Yorkers are the ones who continue to suffer.

The report found one in five New York City children live in households that don't have a sufficient amount of food. But, for the first time ever, the study also found one in ten seniors don't have enough food either.

To that, the Coalition's Executive Director Joel Berg said: "These are the folks that built our economy, fought our wars, raised our children, and the fact that one in ten can't rely on a consistent supply of food really should be a wake-up call for all our policymakers."

I agree with Mr. Berg 100%. If those who helped build this City can't be guaranteed food security, future generations don't have much to look forward to, do they?

One out of every six New Yorkers could not afford to buy meals on a regular basis this year. The findings in a new report from the New York City Coalition Against Hunger also found one in four children lived in households that lacked sufficient food.

The report found food pantries and soup kitchens faced a 5% spike in demand in 2012; that's on top of a 12% increase in 2011. In addition, a survey of 100 emergency food relief agencies found nearly two thirds of them saw an increase in patrons after Hurricane Sandy.

What's your reaction to a report that found 1.4 million New Yorkers live in households without enough food? Has the rising cost of food affected you or your family? Did the storm affect how much you rely on food pantries or other charitable organizations?

Send your thoughts using the link above.

It seems like the hunger issue in NYC is getting worse, I see more people walking the streets asking for money so they can eat. In a nation and city so rich why does hunger and poverty persist?, and no one at the local, state or federal levels seems to care.

Felix
Bay Ridge

My reaction is that we live in a city, a state and a country with too much taxation and too many fees.

Joe
Port Richmond, SI

For the people that have no food I do feel so sorry for them. Most of us myself included have had it hard for some reason or another. We called it coming up the hard way.
It was ruff especially in my day we did not have any compensation for medical expenses, etc, and so therefor we had to work two and sometimes three jobs.

Unfortunately, in this day and age we can not even depend on getting a second job much less a first one. I put the blame solely on this New York City and State administrations. They do nothing to ease the extremely high cost of living in New York such as Rents, food, fares, etc. Everything that has a cost attached to it just keeps rising up and up and I also feel that people of all types and religions have been taken advantage of knowing full well that we all did not ask for this predicament that we are in and yet the cost of repairs and food and you just name it and make it an etc. Sad to say everything has a price and how they can do this without having a heart for these unfortunate people and everyone should remember that we all came very close to it happening to the us that dodged the bullet. Since none of these politicians are doing nothing but taking photo ops just to throw the bouquets towards one another maybe it's about time that they all get together and come up with some kind of solution to start to elevate this problem and not just take the easy way out and give and keep on giving. What they have to do is start to clamp down on these local politicians that have much to much money at their beckon call to spend freely at their will=All of this wasted money given out as free bees one way or another could have used this money for these people that are in such dyer need at this time. They need to put priorities straight and take care of the important things.

Maxxiee, Morris Park

As many as one out of three seniors in low income neighborhoods don't have enough money for food all the time. Helping more seniors receive food stamps puts money in their pockets and helps local businesses.

Bobbie
Sheepshead Bay

Is this a surprise ?
If it is, then why ?

Supermarkets hike up food 50 cents or more at a time.
Ravioli that were $1.99 two weeks ago are now $3.99.
The increase is explained somehow or not - but it all comes down to greed.
People will always need food and so those crazy increases
are just jammed down peoples throats.
No one is stopping this madness.

Its a world gone mad.

Esmerelda, East Village, NYC

That's true and it's sad. Some single persons have to take care of themselves financially alone, it's not easy in these time. I was thinking, why don't the government NOT Tax the normal income workers, just tax the big shots, that have so much showing off on others. Leave the normal income workers with their full earnings so they can survive.

Ruthann

If anyone needs a Turkey for their thanksgiving dinner please note Shelter Rock Developers will be distributing free Turkeys tomorrow (Wed) at 11:30am. at the Baychester Villas located at the corner or Bartow and Ely Ave. Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. And Assemblyman Carl Heistie will be there to help distribute the Turkeys.

boogiedowner

I was recently hit by a car a little over a year ago and since I have not been able to work and earn money so I was wondering what New York City can do to help people like me in my situation especially around the holidays

Ryan
Staten Island New York

with all the problems we have in the u.s. why is hillary in israel? why r w putting our noses in their business???

here we go again!

do we need to lose more american lives?

FEED OUR PEOPLE

tony
queens NY

After working full time since I was 16 years old, I find myself without work and pregnant. I had no choice but to apply for food stamp (the system I have supported for so many years given that I am a tax payer), to my surprise they denied my request. I was very upset given that I went hungry while pregnant. The bottom line is that to qualify you need to be a lazy person who does not like to work to receive assistant.

mariluzlulu
Williamsburg

I have gone from a professional woman to living on a very limited income - I have tried several programs to get food stamps some help and was even affected by Hurricane and evacuated under mandatory conditions on Chambers Street.

It seems to me there is a lack of direct communication - no matter what is published and
all of the forms mean nothing.

At 69 years old, having given to every charity and worked all of my life I must say it is not a promising future for me and I am sure that there are many worse situations

Each neighborhood should have a resource to go to and be able to have assistance.

At one time it was the Churches but now even that is so structured one cannot even go directly to your parish.

NY City is in dire situation and no one is there to take initiative - it seems the people in decision making roles have no clue!

If I were in policy making I could offer so much incentive for a better City

Rosalie

Thank you for your show this evening concerning hunger in New York.

It is sad even for me to see how I financially managed fine about a year ago, only to feel the difficulty to financially manage now due to the increase in food costs. It is so unbelievable! Yes, I go to the food pantries and am very appreciative.

I had been told that some food pantry volunteers shared that drug testing is finally coming down to those receiving food stamps and possibly to the pantries, because some sell their food stamps/food for drugs. If that is true, it cannot come soon enough. It would also be helpful if New York City Housing Authority would do drug testing as part of tenant eligibility. Since tenants must sign a financial disclosure then drug testing should also be mandatory, especially now that so very many good low income folks are now displaced due to Hurricane Sandy. There are drugs and guns in every building and it is such a shame that the higher ups choose to wear blinders; because they are afraid, and what about the good families and the elderly that live there.

Another possible solution: As food continues to increase, then New York City Housing Authority needs to reduce the 30% of income rental computation. It is too difficult to afford both. Although not difficult if you have guns, drug sales, and unauthorized tenants.

Maxine and Mable

I've lived in Hell's Kitchen for 19 1/2 years. The mayor has populated our neighborhood with wealthy europeans and seemingly children of rich people. There is no way to afford anything now in this neighborhood much less food. The food pantry I go to never has looked like the ones I see on tv. They give you a bag with rice, maybe 2 pouches of instant oatmeal, a can of salt free spaghetti sauce, and like that. They now have a sign on the door that says there is a food shortage.

You can't move anywhere anymore in this city since the mayor or whoever let the rent regulations expire. I just lost the food stamps I had due to incompetence on 125th street. Happy Thanksgiving.

Nancy from Hell's Kitchen

This caller got it right on the mark - Mayor Bloomberg has ruined this city, making it ONLY for the wealthy and the tourism. Shame on him and kudos to the caller from Hell's Kitchen who told it like it is!

Teresa
Upper East Side

I'm 32, work 40 hrs for 9$ hr. You would think that would work out, but actually I don't even squeak by.

I applied and said I was unemployed and received them. Then I got this low wage job and and was kicked off. I applied again for food stamps and was denied because I make just a little too much. I'm on a Payment plan with con Ed. I sold all my assets, even possessions. That $180-200$ a month allowed me to eat more healthy and relieved constant stress.

The system is too all or nothing. I am not looking for a hand out. Just a little relief. There needs to be more tiers.

I look for higher skilled work when I am off, but many people are in my position. I am a teacher; however English is not in demand.

My issue is that without the food stamps I cant even get staples. Lately I buy about 3 bags of groceries and I fork over 50$. It's insane. When did this happen? I'm out of stuff to hawk on Craigslist to pay or food, but I make like 30$ too much a month to get help.

Paul (Washington Heights)

When my wife was on maternity leave they granted her 1 month of food stamps then continue to denied her. Btw the rent is out of control in NY.

dvgreeneyes

I think more than one in six New Yorkers struggle to buy food, but many like myself may not be counted. Based on my income I am technically in the middle class. I have a full time job but I have been struggling to make ends meet for years. My rent has gone up, health insurance, transportation and other expenses have gone up. My daughter goes to CUNY. I borrow on my 401K to pay her tuition so she does not graduate with a huge debt. It is crazy.

Food is the only area we can cut out of the household budget. When we eat out it is at Subways or at a food cart. We either buy one meal and share it or buy 2 meals and each have half one day and the other half the next. I see co-workers eating half their take outs one day and saving the other half for the flowing day. For many lunch is just pasta with something thrown on top. A sandwich in the midtown area costs close to $8. Salads are ridiculously expensive. Eating well cost more than eating poorly.

I used to be able to help support local pantries and soup kitchens and it breaks my heart that I can't as I did in the past. I am using my credit cards for the occasional grocery splurge.

The high cost of living and increased medical and prescription expenses has impacted my parents who are both seniors. Meals in Wheels has been a great help but only goes so far.

I agree as many that rent is out if control in NYC. And, if middle class families like mine are struggling what can be expected of those with less.

Mo
Queens

Hello my name is Yesenia , i was watching your show today but missed the time to call in within 30 seconds lol. i decided to write for the world to read, i am an honor student at my college going on my 4th semester and i am a mommy of a 2yr old, while juggling a part time job as a waitress to keep me going with traveling(because MTA is another hassle).. Point is i became so depressed today after being denied childcare help from the govt because i didn't qualify for the SULPA program..Which i was told only works for DAYTIME JOBS from 9-5pm.. my job is from 6pm- 1am. THAT JUST DOESNT MAKE ANY SENSE TO ME! Im trying my best, and get an education and i cannot get ANY HELP with my son! The govt just doesn't want to help Mothers anymore.