New York City helps the hungry

Unfortunately, as individuals, we sometimes fail to meet the basic needs of the hungry around us. It's at moments like these that government must step up to act as the compassionate force that helps alleviate the suffering of the people.

In last week's NY Daily News I read the following article about Mayor Bloomberg's initiative to eliminate hunger in NYC:

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2007/11/26/2007-11-26_bloomberg_city_to_give_1m_to_soup_kitche.html

Bloomberg: City to give $1M to soup kitchens, provide hunger assistance

BY DAVE GOLDINER
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Monday, November 26th 2007, 4:00 AM

The city will give $1 million more to soup kitchens and food pantries and plans a new 311 system to provide information on hunger assistance, Mayor Bloomberg said Sunday.

"Basic human compassion fuels everything we do to eradicate hunger in New York," Bloomberg said on his weekly radio show.

The extra cash will help the 500 or so community groups keep up with inflation and provide more nutritious meals to the needy.

Most of the money came from eliminating fraud and waste in existing programs, Bloomberg said.

Bloomberg also said city workers will now staff a hunger hotline. Previously, callers would get shunted to an automated line.

He reminded New Yorkers they can drop off canned goods and other nonperishable items at any police stationhouse or fire station until Jan. 4. All donations will go to City Harvest