Brooklyn food pantry faces budget crisis amid soaring demand
News 12’s Shakti Denis provides a look at what's at stake if the funding dries up.
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A longtime food pantry in Bensonhurst is struggling to stay afloat as demand for free groceries reaches a record high.
Thomas Neve, founder of Reaching Out Community Services, said his organization’s operating budget is down nearly 40% compared to last year. He typically receives discretionary funding from multiple City Council members, but only one has contributed this year.
"Our hope is that this year some more council members will chip in," said Neve. "If not by next month, 2,000 or 3,000 more families will have to be cut off."
Neve said the need for food assistance is growing, fueled by rising grocery prices, stolen SNAP benefits and new eligibility changes that could leave even more families in need.
He’s calling on more elected officials to step in before the pantry is forced to scale back or shut down entirely.
