30 Years of Fighting Hunger

Last night, the West Side Campaign Against Hunger honored Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum at its 30th Anniversary Dinner. Gotbaum said:

The West  Side Campaign Against Hunger does so much more than just provide food to those who need it. Your cooking and wellness programs, and the counseling you do to promote self-reliance, goes a long way toward preserving your clients' dignity. It's a great example of providing a hand up rather than a hand out.

Early in my first term as Public Advocate, it became clear that far too many New Yorkers were having trouble putting food on their family’s table. I’m proud to have advocated for common-sense reforms that try to end what's now called "food insecurity." 

When we found out that the application to get food stamps was 16 pages long, we immediately got to work to make it easier for New Yorkers to get these benefits. We were able to reduce 
the application to just 4 pages, we got offices to extend their hours so working New Yorkers could go after work or on weekends, and through a community-program and with private money I raised through the Fund for Public Advocacy, we enrolled 77,000 New Yorkers in the Food Stamp program. The federal money that comes in through the food stamp program not only helps feed hungry New Yorkers, but it also benefits the local economy.

But too many New Yorkers remain hungry. I know, because they continue to call my office.

New York remains one of the richest cities in the world. We must do more to end hunger, especially in this troubled economy. It's our duty as a progressive and compassionate society. You're doing your part, and I salute you.

Comments

[Virginia Hooper]

I am with Mayor Bloomberg on the parking ticket effort in NYC, with fines; I see today that the NYC Council has voted to allow a 5-minute grace period.

Under present financial woes, traffic fines are a viable source of revenue; anyone driving a car in the city should help bear that burden.

Although I realize that small-business commercial vehicles may be unfairly penalized.