Lucy Cabrera

NEW YORK, June 8, 2009 — The Fund for New York City Hunger Relief today announced that it will receive a $1 million grant from the Starr International Foundation, in response to a significant increase in the number of people seeking help feeding their families at food pantries and soup kitchens throughout the city. The need for emergency food has increased 30% nationally in the past year, according to Feeding America, the nation's largest domestic hunger relief organization.

In fall of 2008, the 25-year-old Food Bank For New York City was facing a crisis. A quickly souring economy was a double-edged sword — making for an increased need among people requiring food assistance, and decreased donations of both food and money from businesses and individuals feeling the pinch.