What is summer hunger?
Nationally, almost 30 million students in the U.S. receive free or reduced-price meals during the school year. But when class is out for summer, millions of children go hungry. For many children in New York City during the summer, access to free meals becomes more difficult.
Parents have seen their food budgets stretched thin as prices at the grocery store have continued to climb this past year. To make matters worse, after COVID-era federal emergency funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) ended last year, households with children have lost an average of $223 in food benefits each month.
Catholic Charities of New York is committed to feeding our neighbors, especially children during the summer. We provide nutritious food to families and individuals who cannot afford to visit a local supermarket or grocery store. No hungry neighbor is turned away.
“The myth has been that the need has dropped because we are post-pandemic,” said Lakisha Morris, Director of Operations at Catholic Charities Community Services. “The fact is that the need has increased so much. We are seeing more and more people at our food pantry lines.”
“We understand that food inflation has been a major concern for many of the households that we serve. We are trying to provide foods that are expensive at supermarkets — that families can get here at our food pantries, like fresh vegetables and fruits, lean protein, and dairy,” said Lakisha.
You can help! A generous donor is matching all gifts up to $50,000 through August 15. Every dollar you donate today will be doubled to help more children in need this summer. Please CLICK HERE to donate.
With your critical support, we are leading the effort to fight hunger in New York:
• 8+ million meals served through our ongoing food programs
• 195,504 community soup kitchen meals served
• 27,466 home meals delivered
• 18,194 people enrolled in nutritional assistance programs, like SNAP
Catholic Charities of New York’s food programs would not be possible without a caring community of supporters. You make a real difference in the lives of children and families.
This act of love for our neighbors doesn’t go unnoticed! A formerly homeless mother of three children in the Bronx, now living in affordable housing provided by Catholic Charities of New York, recently shared, “Catholic Charities gives us food. They are always thinking of us.”
Let’s help as many children as we can this summer. Please don’t wait. Please CLICK HERE to give now and double your impact.
