At Feeding Westchester, we know that hunger doesn’t have a face. It affects everyone—seniors, children, working families, and more. Recently, our very own Chief Operating Officer, Tami Wilson, had the opportunity to speak on the Rivertowns Dispatch Podcast about the state of food insecurity in Westchester County. Alongside PepsiCo Foundation’s Cody Glenn, Tami shared valuable insights about the ongoing challenges of hunger in our community and the important work Feeding Westchester is doing to address it.
The Reality of Hunger in Westchester
Tami highlighted the stark reality that 1 in 3 households in Westchester County are at risk of food insecurity, which includes approximately 240,000 neighbor visits to local food pantries and partner locations. Despite being one of the wealthiest counties in the United States, Westchester has seen an alarming increase in food insecurity due to rising costs of living, inflation, and policy changes.
As Tami mentioned, “Hunger doesn’t have a face, and it affects everyone—from children to seniors.” The need for food assistance is widespread, and it isn’t just limited to those you might expect. It includes families struggling to make ends meet, seniors who live on fixed incomes, and children who rely on school meals for nourishment.
A Community in Need
Feeding Westchester serves a diverse group of individuals. In fact, we provide support to over 80,000 children and 30,000 seniors every month. These numbers continue to rise, especially with cuts to programs like SNAP and reductions in government food assistance. As Tami explained, “If you ask a family, they would rather go into a store so that they have choice and have dignity behind their grocery shopping.” SNAP benefits often run out before the end of the month, leaving families to turn to food pantries for additional support.
The Power of Partnerships
Tami also spoke about Feeding Westchester’s vital role as part of a larger network of food banks. As a member of Feeding America and Feeding New York State, Feeding Westchester is able to leverage resources, access better pricing, and expand our reach within the community. We collaborate with more than 175 partner organizations across Westchester County, ensuring food reaches those who need it most.
The Impact of Policy
A key theme in the conversation was the impact of policy changes on food insecurity. With cuts in federal funding and fluctuating SNAP benefits, Feeding Westchester is seeing both a decrease in food supply and an increase in demand. Tami expressed her frustration with these changes, saying, “We are not here to supplement what the government should be doing. We are here to support our neighbors, but we can’t do it alone.”
The challenges posed by government budget cuts and policy shifts can have a lasting impact on food security, which is why Feeding Westchester remains committed to advocating for better policies that prioritize food access and dignity for all.
How You Can Help
The work we do at Feeding Westchester wouldn’t be possible without the support of individuals, corporations, and community partners. As Tami emphasized, “It really does take a village to uplift our neighbors.” Whether it’s making a donation, volunteering your time, or advocating for stronger policies, there are many ways you can help.
