“There are very few things that the government does that are more fundamental than making sure the people of this city are fed. So let’s stop having emergency food be a political football and actually move forward and make sure that the city is providing sufficient funding.”
—Public Advocate Bill de Blasio speaking at the 18th Annual Agency Conference.
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People with Disabilities
Approximately 1.4 million New Yorkers rely on emergency food programs. As of 2007, about one-third were disabled — an increase of 24 percent from 2004. Learn more about people with disabilities in New York City below with key statistics and stories from the people we help.
- Almost one-third (31 percent) of disabled adults in NYC (21 percent in the US) live below the federal poverty level (approximately $18,000 per year for a family of three). (US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2008)
- More than one out of five (22 percent) NYC residents turning to soup kitchens and food pantries receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and 6 percent receive Social Security Disability Income (SSDI). (NYC Hunger Safety Net 2007)
- On average, NYC residents accessing emergency food who are enrolled in SSI, which provides additional income to people with disabilties, receive $647 per month. (NYC Hunger Safety Net 2007)
Read stories below from New Yorkers with disabilities who have received assistance through our network of more than 1,000 food assistance programs throughout the five boroughs. Real names are not used.
Jeff, Brooklyn food pantry guest
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"My wife and I have kids, and I don't know what we'd do if it wasn't for the food pantry. I haven't worked in two years. I blew my sciatic nerve when I was younger and it's hard to find work for someone with a background in air conditioning who can't lift too much. And my wife has lupus, so she can't work.
"When I lost my last job, I hadn't been there long enough to get unemployment. We're working on getting disability now, but my food stamps just don't stretch until the end of the month. We've lived here in Bensonhurst for twenty years now, and I've never seen the neighborhood so hard hit.
"I'm lucky because my kids are great eaters — they'll eat anything. My twelve-year-old actually asks for broccoli! The food we get here is great, every time. They give us yams, potatoes, carrots. It's wonderful."
We met Jeff during pick-up at the Reaching Out food pantry in Brooklyn, a Food Bank network member.
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Hector, Bronx soup kitchen guest
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"I'm retired for medical reasons, so I've been thankful for the people who've been around to help. When I developed back problems, the construction company I worked at found me an office job. But now I have carpal tunnel syndrome — and some days I can barely tie my shoes with the pain.
"After I retired, I moved my father here from Puerto Rico to live with me. I do everything I can for him, but it's not easy. We receive food stamps, my father collects Medicaid and we each have Social Security. But after rent and all the bills, including my father's nurse's aid, sometimes we don't have enough at the end of the month.
"My father and I started coming to the senior center two years ago — and the meals we get here are really essential. When you budget you have to think about the next day, then the next day, then the next. When we come here it makes the next day a lot easier. And after this great food I have more energy for my father. We all do what we can. We're both thankful that so many people at the center do so much."
We met Hector during meal distribution at the CAB Morris Senior Center in the Bronx, a Food Bank network member.
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