Poverty

Mourners pray for Pope Francis at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

New Yorkers Mourn Pope Francis, the ‘Pope of the People’

April 21, 2025, 3:28 p.m.April 21, 2025, 6:17 p.m.

"Until the last day of his life he was a messenger of hope,” said Bishop Robert Brennan speaking to an afternoon crowd of churchgoers in Brooklyn Monday.

A crowd of people wait for free snacks as part of a back to school give away at Fordham Plaza.

Economy

Credit Card Debt Spikes in NYC as Working Families Feel Post-Pandemic Pinch

Aug. 27, 2024, 5:05 a.m.Aug. 26, 2024, 4:32 p.m.

Wages in New York haven’t kept up with inflation, and the COVID-era relief programs that helped low-income New Yorkers have dried up.

People still dealing with food insecurity received fresh produce and bread at the Woodbine community space in Ridgewood.

Poverty

COVID Emergency Food Distributor Overbilled City by Millions, Comptroller Finds

May 15, 2024, 5:00 a.m.May 14, 2024, 9:54 p.m.

In a new audit, Comptroller Brad Lander finds Driscoll Foods got $9 million more than it was due from the Department of Social Services.

A corner deli on Myrtle Avenue in Brooklyn s taking EBT cards.

Poverty

Safety Net Aid Enrollment Soars, Complicating Economic Recovery

April 2, 2024, 5:00 a.m.April 2, 2024, 8:56 p.m.

More New Yorkers rely on government aid programs than before the pandemic. Albany lawmakers want to increase long-stagnant benefits to keep up with inflation.

A person carries goods from the food pantry housed inside a Park Slope church. Its last day is Saturday, March 16.

Brooklyn

Park Slope Priest Evicts Food Pantry From Struggling Catholic Church

March 13, 2024, 5:05 a.m.March 13, 2024, 9:45 a.m.

Exodus of volunteer operations from Saint Augustine follows the arrival of new leadership and an end to Creole and Spanish services.

Homeless Shelters

‘A Joke’ — Bronx Community Boards in Poor Neighborhoods Say They’re Already Saturated With Shelters

June 14, 2023, 7:22 p.m.June 14, 2023, 7:22 p.m.

The pushback came at a community meeting that the Department of Homeless Services did not even attend.

The Bronx

Bronx Community Fridge Operation Raises Big Bucks — and Hackles

Dec. 19, 2022, 5:15 a.m.Oct. 12, 2023, 8:04 a.m.

Grassroots Grocery has a charismatic founder, a compelling origin story and a six-figure reserve fund that mutual-aid workers and organizers in the borough say are the fruits of “poverty pimping.”

SNAP

SNAP Back: Stolen Benefits Would Be Repaid to Victims Under Federal Bill

Dec. 16, 2022, 6:14 p.m.Dec. 17, 2022, 1:20 p.m.

The proposed legislation would direct states to quickly reissue funds. At least $730,000 has been taken from New Yorkers this year.

Human Resources istration

Thousands Have Benefits Stolen Through Card Skimming Across New York

Dec. 5, 2022, 5:00 a.m.Dec. 5, 2022, 7:12 a.m.

Advocates are calling on Albany and to ramp up security on benefits cards — while officials say the law ties their hands when it comes to reimbursing the stolen funds.

Hunger

Free Fridges in The Bronx, Created as COVID Stopgap, Still Meeting Chronic Food Needs

Nov. 30, 2022, 5:00 a.m.Nov. 30, 2022, 4:27 p.m.

The borough’s community refrigerators — fewer than during the pandemic — are strapped for cash as well as volunteers to transport food.

Poverty

New Yorkers Mourn Pope Francis, the ‘Pope of the People’

Credit Card Debt Spikes in NYC as Working Families Feel Post-Pandemic Pinch

COVID Emergency Food Distributor Overbilled City by Millions, Comptroller Finds

Safety Net Aid Enrollment Soars, Complicating Economic Recovery

Park Slope Priest Evicts Food Pantry From Struggling Catholic Church

‘A Joke’ — Bronx Community Boards in Poor Neighborhoods Say They’re Already Saturated With Shelters

Bronx Community Fridge Operation Raises Big Bucks — and Hackles

SNAP Back: Stolen Benefits Would Be Repaid to Victims Under Federal Bill

Thousands Have Benefits Stolen Through Card Skimming Across New York

Free Fridges in The Bronx, Created as COVID Stopgap, Still Meeting Chronic Food Needs

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