Greetings from Bread and Life,

As we begin to enter this season, where we both celebrate and are thankful of the bounty we possess, I would like to share with you some troubling numbers. These statistics are taken from the recently released Food Bank Study Entitled: NYC Hunger Safety Net 2007

• NYC's Emergency Food Programs (EFP's) provided food to over 1.3 million residents last year
• Reductions in Federal Food Programs have led to a loss of 12,000,000 pounds of food available to hungry New Yorkers.
• There has been a 24% increase in the number of those using EFP's
• One quarter of those receiving emergency food have gone to college.
• 1 in 5 of those receiving emergency food are employed
• Approximately one-half of EFP's ran out of food at one point last year
• Over 80% of recipient rent their own dwellings
• Over 93% of EFP recipients are active voters

These highlighted numbers (The entire report may be found at NYC Hunger Safety Net) show that the families and individuals receiving assistance from places like St. John's Bread and Life are not solely the homeless, nor the marginalized, but rather they are our neighbors.

Bread and Life works daily to combat hunger and one of the ways it does this is by raising awareness. I encourage you to watch the following newscast highlighting the growing need in our community:

As the Director of Bread and Life I am regularly reminded of the continual generosity of our supporters, without which many would not eat. I thank you for your continued support and ask those who have not yet responded to this growing need and shame of our community to join us as we work to Feed the Future.

Peace,

Tony

Anthony Butler
Executive Director
abutler@breadandlife.org