Bushwick food pantry supervisor sounds alarm on rising hunger

BROOKLYN, N.Y. (PIX11) -- Food insecurity continues to grip New York City, with a new study revealing that working families are increasingly joining the lines for assistance at local food pantries. Jasmine Bethancourt, a supervisor at RiseBoro Food Pantry in Bushwick, expressed deep concern about the current state of food insecurity at her pantry.

"It's devastating because we want to be able to serve all of the families. We want to be able to give food to everyone," Bethancourt said. "At this point we're almost, we're at capacity, we're over capacity."

The pantry has adapted to meet the diverse needs of the community, especially during the holidays, but challenges persist. Bethancourt noted, "We're experiencing a lot of new faces that we haven't seen before. We think about our seniors and children, but working families are also struggling now."

This week, the anti-poverty organization Robin Hood released its annual food insecurity report, revealing alarming statistics. One in three adults (31%) and nearly half of families with children (44%) experienced food hardship in 2023. The report defines food hardship as sometimes or often running out of food, or a person worrying that they will.

Ryan Vinh, a research analyst at Columbia University, highlighted the lasting impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on food security. "Since the pandemic, food pantry use has essentially doubled among families with children," Vinh stated. He added that it remains to be seen whether these numbers will return to pre-pandemic levels.

The most troubling aspect of the current situation is the growing number of employed people seeking food assistance. The report shows that pantry use among employed New Yorkers more than tripled in 2020 and remains twice as high in 2023 at 11% compared to 5% in 2019.

"What our research finds is that a lot of the folks that are accessing the food pantries are also working or engaging in the labor force in some way. That suggests that people's salaries aren't keeping up with rising costs," Vinh explained. He emphasizes the need for more policies and income supports to help supplement income, such as expanding SNAP or the child tax credit.

As the holidays approach, RiseBoro Food Pantry is striving to meet the increased demand. However, they face significant challenges, including a shortage of volunteers. "One of the biggest challenges we're facing right now is a shortage in volunteers," Bethancourt said. The pantry serves over 400 families a week with a very small team.

Bethancourt emphasized the need for systemic change to address the root causes of food insecurity. "It's all from a political standpoint. Food insecurity is occurring for everyone," she stated.

As food insecurity continues to be a pressing issue in New York City, organizations like RiseBoro Food Pantry are calling for donations and volunteers to help meet the growing need. For more information, click here.