NYC Council Highlights Over $8 Million Funding Allocation for 400+ Organizations to Support New Yorkers with Food Access this Holiday Season and Beyond

Council's Food Pantry Initiative received an additional $1 million in the Fiscal Year 2025 city budget to support residents experiencing food insecurity

City Hall, NY - In the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 city budget, the New York City Council allocated $8.26 million in discretionary funding for its Food Pantry Initiative to support 405 organizations that operate food pantries and soup kitchens serving New Yorkers across the city. The Council increased funding for the initiative in this current fiscal year by an additional $1 million dollars from its FY24 level in response to the increased needs of New Yorkers and visits to soup kitchens and food pantries citywide.

"With nearly 1.3 million New Yorkers and one in four children experiencing food insecurity, it remains critical for our city to invest in efforts that help residents in need of support to feed themselves and their families," said Speaker Adrienne Adams. "The Council is proud to consistently support working-class New Yorkers and allocating this $8.26 million to support the food pantries and soup kitchens that provide access to groceries and meals every day in our communities is another pivotal commitment. This funding is an important step towards reducing hunger and food insecurity, but our city must continue to prioritize food assistance and policies that fully address this crisis impacting working families."

As part of the total funding allocation, $1 million was designated for Food Bank for NYC to operate 25 school-based food and hygiene pantries at high-need Department of Education (DOE) public schools. This investment supports schools in every borough, including eight in Brooklyn, seven in The Bronx, five in Queens, four in Manhattan, and one in Staten Island. Another $2.2 million was designated through Food Bank for NYC to 220 smaller, community-based food pantries and soup kitchens across all five boroughs.

"One of the lasting impacts of the pandemic has been the increased number of New Yorkers across our city struggling to have the means to put enough food on the table," said Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala, Chair of the Committee on General Welfare. "Confronting food insecurity and improving quality of life should be a top priority for government at all levels. I am proud the Council allocated over $8 million in this year's city budget to ensure more families can access groceries and hot meals. City budgets should focus on meeting the needs of our people and the Council continues to prioritize this goal, including by helping them thrive through this initiative."

"When the affordability crisis is making harder for New Yorkers to put food on the table, it's up to city leaders to step in and give them the support they need," said Council Member Justin Brannan, Chair of the Committee on Finance. "With this $8.2 million, we are helping hundreds of soup kitchens and food pantries meet the demand that is increasing citywide. Everyday New Yorkers can rest assured that this Council is laser focused on the issues they face and have their backs."

"Expanding school-based food and hygiene pantries in high-need schools is a vital step in addressing food insecurity and ensuring that our children and their families have access to the essentials they need to thrive, said Council Member Rita Joseph, Chair of the Committee on Education. "Hunger should never be a barrier to learning, and by providing these critical resources directly in our schools, we are creating a support system that strengthens our communities from the ground up. This initiative is about more than just food-it's about dignity, equity, and giving every child the opportunity to succeed in and outside the classroom without the burden of worrying about their next meal."

"Thank you to the New York City Council for continuing to stand up for New Yorkers who are struggling to afford food," said Food Bank For New York City's President and CEO Leslie Gordon. "At a time when half of working-age New Yorkers are struggling to afford basics like food and rent, Food Bank For New York City is proud to partner with the City Council on the Food Pantries Initiative to ensure more of our neighbors have the food they need this holiday season and throughout the year."

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