Food Insecurity

UPDATE Relief Drive Launched in Bronx for Victims of Hurricane Melissa as Jamaican Consul General to NY Dies

By SÍLE MOLONEY
State Sen. Jamaal Bailey (S.D. 36), chair of the Bronx Democratic Party, was among the New York elected officials who recently issued statements on the devastation caused to the island of Jamaica after it was recently hit by Hurricane Melissa. The hurricane later made its way to other Caribbean islands, and according to various media reports as of Oct. 29, 30 people had died across Haiti, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic as a result of the category 3 hurricane.

University Heights: Sepúlveda Presents $50,000 Check to NMIC Nonprofit to Support Bronx Families

By SÍLE MOLONEY
In the face of imminent federal cuts, as reported, State Sen. Luis R. Sepúlveda (S.D. 32) presented a check for $50,000 in funding to the Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation (NMIC), during a formal ceremony on Wednesday, Oct. 29, at NMIC’s University Heights-based Bronx office, in what the senator’s team said was a recognition of NMIC’s “invaluable community work and dedication to the progress and well-being of families in Upper Manhattan and The Bronx.”

Part of The Solution Steps Up as Federal Shutdown Threatens Access to Food and Health Care

By SÍLE MOLONEY
As the federal government shutdown continues, on Monday, Oct. 27, officials from Part of the Solution (POTS), which serves thousands of New Yorkers every month through its food pantry, community dining room, and case management services, announced the nonprofit is taking decisive action to protect Bronx residents and other vulnerable New Yorkers from what they said are the devastating impacts of halted federal aid.

UPDATE Amid Federal Shutdown Hochul Announces $30M in Emergency Food Assistance Funds

By SÍLE MOLONEY
New York Gov. Hochul held a rally on Monday, Oct. 27, with New Yorkers impacted by what were described as Washington Republicans’ devastating cuts to health care, food assistance and other critical programs. State officials said with nearly three million New Yorkers at risk of losing the food assistance they usually receive through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) starting Nov. 1 due to the GOP’s federal government shutdown, the governor announced the same day that she is also fast-tracking $30 million in State funds to support over 16 million meals.

Bipartisan Healthy Start Reauthorization Act of 2025 Passes in House of Reps

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) advocated for the passage in the U.S. House of Representatives of her sponsored bill, “the Bipartisan Healthy Start Reauthorization Act of 2025,” which she lead alongside Republican Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), on Wednesday, Sept. 17.

Elected Officials Encourage New Yorkers to Make Use of Family Enrichment Centers (FEC)

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Elected officials are encouraging New Yorkers to make full use of the City’s local Family Enrichment Centers (FEC). Launched in 2017, these are welcoming walk-in, family-centered spaces, open to all, co-designed with community members, and run by the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS). The availability of such centers seems all the more relevant given the latest wave of violence unleashed against young people in The Bronx. Some of the programs include medical support, parent discussion groups, men’s discussion groups, and clothes and food distribution.  

Teens Work to End Gun Violence

By SÍLE MOLONEY & DAVID GREENE
La Central YMCA in the South Bronx was filled with energy, purpose, and hope on June 6 during Gun Violence Awareness Month as students from University Prep Charter High School (UPREP) took center stage to present powerful research on how gun violence is affecting their lives, along with community-driven solutions for a safer Bronx.