The Food Bank For New York City is facing a food shortage this holiday season at the same time that demand for its services is spiking, according to its executives.
"Our shelves are empty," said Gregory Boroff, the food bank's vice president for external relations. "I've been here for seven years and I've never seen it like this."
December is usually the Food Bank's best month for cash donations, but this year the 25-year-old organization is feeling the pinch. Food contributions from individuals are roughly 25 percent lower than expected, and direct mailing donations are off by 14 percent. Moreover, at the Food Bank's Community Kitchen in Harlem, there's been a roughly 30 percent increase in visitors.
The downturn has been a double whammy: more mouths to feed and fewer donations to feed them with. read more »
