Updated 11/25/2009 06:35 PM
Food Bank Of NYC Prepares Pre-Thanksgiving Feast
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With more than three million New Yorkers experiencing food shortages, the Food Bank Community Kitchen is preparing a Thanksgiving feast today for those most in need.
Workers and volunteers in West Harlem will feed about 800 people later today.
According to a report by the Food Bank for New York City, 40 percent of New Yorkers are having a hard time affording food.
The city's food pantries and soup kitchens have seen a 93 percent increase in first-time visitors this year.
"Research tells us that over 3.3 million New Yorkers are experiencing food insecurity and we estimate that about half of those are actually coming to programs supported by the Food Bank of New York City,” said Carlos Rodriguez, vice president for agency relations at the Food Bank.
Officials say while federal stimulus funding has helped with the food supply at pantries, the program is set to expire at year's end.
For more information on how to donate or volunteer, visit FoodBankNYC.org.