The coronavirus pandemic comes at a time when they're more needed then ever, as the rush on grocery stores at the outset of the outbreak was like nothing most of us have ever seen.
Lines wrapped around the block and shelves were emptied of necessities.
But not every New Yorker has the luxury of buying at will and stocking up on weeks worth of supplies, and millions in the city depend on local food pantries.
"32% of pantries in New York City have shut down," Met Council CEO David Greenfield said. "Within 10 days, most food pantries will shut down. They simply cannot afford to keep up."
The Met Council overseas a network of more than 180 full and part-time food pantries, and Greenfield says the rising cost of food and rising unemployment are big factors in the growing need for help.
Leslie Gordon, the head of Food Bank for New York City, the leading hunger relief non-profit in the five boroughs, says its partners are reporting a 50% increase in the number of people showing up for assistance.
And in those places where pantries have disappeared, they're picking up the slack.
But the non-profits can't do it alone. On Tuesday, a group of faith leaders from across the city appealed to the state for $25 million in emergency funds to help.
Council Speaker Corey Johnson made a similar appeal to the city last week.
MORE CORONAVIRUS COVID-19 COVERAGE
Frequently Asked Questions
[Ads /]
Where are the testing centers
See how our communities are making a difference
Free educational resources for parents and children
How you can help victims of coronavirus
Where is COVID-19 now? and other resources
Coronavirus news and live updates in New York
[Ads /]
Coronavirus news and live updates in New Jersey
Coronavirus news and live updates in Connecticut
New York City updates
Long Island updates
How coronavirus is leaving ghost towns in its path
Coronavirus prevention: how clean are your hands?
[Ads /]
Social distancing: What is it and how does it stop the spread of coronavirus?
Coronavirus closures and cancelations
Coronavirus tips: What Americans need to know
Related Information
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on coronavirus