Hungry New Yorkers Relying on Free Meals: Study

The Food Bank is facing a tough holiday season

Wednesday, Oct 28, 2009 | Updated 6:00 PM EDT

Hungry New Yorkers Relying on Free Meals: Study

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More and more New Yorkers are going hungry after losing their jobs -- and the need for emergency free meals has reached crisis proportions.

That's the word from the Food Bank, the city's major hunger-relief organization.

     Lucy Cabrera, who heads the organization, says demand continues to rise with layoffs. One in five New Yorkers -- or 1.5 million people -- already rely on Food Bank programs and services.

Cabrera says this year could bring one of the most difficult holiday seasons in the Food Bank's 26-year history.

In response, FedEx is offering to double donations made to the Food Bank's network of about 1,000 food assistance programs, up to $20,000.