Hunger isn’t a problem in Westbury, NY – it’s an emergency. Data shows that in the first nine months of 2023, the Westbury Corps provided more than 100,000 grocery meals to residents in need, a 185 percent increase over the first nine months of 2022 and an astounding 2,400 percent increase since 2018. The community center has also served approximately 30,000 soup kitchen meals.
This is against the backdrop of the Salvation Army Greater NY Division providing more than five million meals to New Yorkers – with Westbury making up more than 40% of all grocery orders.
More than 2.2 million, or one in nine, New Yorkers are facing hunger. Tragically, one in six children are experiencing hunger as well. The Salvation Army Greater New York Division has long fought hunger throughout the city and in the past few years has experienced a significant increase in need for food assistance – with a rapidly growing need in Westbury. These increases are in part due to the ending of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits earlier this year, as well as the estimated 100,000 migrants who arrived in New York in 2023.
“We refuse to let one single New Yorker go hungry and are doing everything in our power to prevent that from happening. We have people, including families, lining up as early as 6 am before our food distribution hours begin. We will never turn anyone away, but we cannot do this by ourselves,” said Major Marcus Jugenheimer, General Secretary of The Salvation Army Greater New York Division. “We urge all New Yorkers and local companies to dig deep and donate now. Giving just $105 can provide a family of four with a week’s worth of meals.”
To donate, visit www.salvationarmyny.org.
ABOUT THE SALVATION ARMY GREATER NEW YORK DIVISION
An integral part of the community for 140+ years, The Salvation Army Greater New York Division operates more than 100 community and social-service programs, serving more than one million people a year, regardless of race, religion, nationality, or sexual orientation. For more information visit salvationarmyny.org.
