Hunger
Nourishing food is a basic need, but too many New Yorkers and their families struggle to afford enough to eat. That’s why Robin Hood funds effective emergency food programs to fight food insecurity for New Yorkers.
1 in 3
Adult New Yorkers and 40% of families do not have enough money to feed their household
33
%
Increase of food costs in the NYC metro area over the last decade
$205
The average weekly food budget shortfall for families with children (increased by more than $30 since the pandemic)
Solutions We’re Funding
The West Side Campaign Against Hunger (WSCAH)
New York City has seen an alarming rise in food insecurity in recent years, driven by high costs of living, inflation, and impending federal cuts to benefits like SNAP. Emergency food providers are a longstanding, and increasingly relied upon resource, helping New Yorkers experiencing food hardship access vital benefits, groceries, and hot meals to feed themselves and their families.
A longtime Robin Hood grantee, WSCAH provides emergency food— from hot meals to food pantries and grocery deliveries — to more than 27,000 families annually, delivering 3.9 million pounds of food to New Yorkers in need. WSCAH is also the host and founding member of The Roundtable: Allies for Food Access, NYC’s first and only dedicated network of emergency food providers, working together to bring more resources to communities, so New Yorkers do not go hungry. Learn more about our grantees.
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Programs & Special Initiatives
In 2025, Robin Hood-funded emergency food providers distributed 205 million pounds of food to help fight hunger, at an average cost of $0.67 per pound.
Adults & Household Supports
The Adults & Household Supports program focuses on providing job training, housing, food, healthcare, benefits, and legal services—the building blocks of stability and opportunity.
Policies We Support
Expanding Access to SNAP
Increasing SNAP benefit amounts so that funds stretch further for low-income New Yorkers
Evidence
Robin Hood’s policy positions on this issue are informed by our funded and in-house research efforts.