Public Employee Press

DC37 members pitch in to feed the hungry
Boosting nutrition and morale
Part 3 of series

By JANE LaTOUR

Despite all of the demeaning characterizations of poor people as freeloaders, there are many good reasons why people have to rely on the kindness of strangers for food.

One of the biggest reasons is age, and senior citizens living in poverty are often faced with a choice: buy food or pay the rent.

Thanks to the Food and Nutrition program (FAN) affiliated with Kings County Hospital and the Health and Hospitals Corp., seniors and other at-risk populations are able to get food. The program is funded with grants from the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture and the New York State Dept. of Health.

The program, in existence since 1995, feeds over 24,000 people a month, and operates out of two locations, one in Jamaica, Queens, and the other in Brooklyn.

Recently, the people who feed the hungry shared their stories at the program's large center at 840 Alabama Ave. in Brooklyn.

DC 37 members work as a team, and each worker plays an essential part in helping to feed the needy.

Jean Drouillard, a member of Local 371 and a Community Associate, has worked for the program for 16 years. His job includes outreach to senior citizen centers, verifying documents, selecting food from the warehouse and packing it up to be delivered to the centers.

"I feel very proud of my job," he said. "Since when you see the way the economy is going, I am happy to serve people in need."

Hunger is getting worse

Osylyn-Claire Campbell is also a member of Local 371 and a Community Liaison. She's been working at the program for 14 years.

"Hunger is getting worse," she said. "My job is to supervise the certification and do marketing to senior centers and after-school programs that are interested in participating. I supervise five staff members who pre-screen the seniors as they come in to the center. I love my job and helping to feed families for the month is very satisfying," she said.

Local 371 member Armando Gomez works with seniors when they visit the center, signing them up and ensuring they get the food items they're eligible to receive.

"I've been doing this job for eight years and I love it," he said. "I feel that I understand the people and appreciate their hardships. I just want to help people and make them feel better about themselves."

Community Associate Tonya McGee is a member of Local 371 with 15 years on the job. She takes inventory of the food and orders it, along with other supervisory tasks.

"I just love working with the elderly and servicing them, and making sure that they get all of the fruits and vegetables they need," she said.

James Harris is a Service Aide and a member of Local 420 with more than eight years on the job. He distributes food and keeps the facility clean.

"I do whatever needs to be done," Harris said. "It's very interesting dealing with the people on a daily basis and helping the seniors. I know it's rough out there and I enjoy doing it."

Poverty indicators show that the number of city residents living below the federal poverty level increased in 2011 to nearly 1.7 million-a surge of 4.5 percent, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

The Bronx had the highest poverty rate in the city at 30.4 percent, followed by Brooklyn, with 23.6 percent.

The FAN program serves each of the five boroughs, according to Assistant Director Lillian Taylor. "We deliver to over 90 sites, to senior centers and senior housing-and then we have over 8,000 people a month who come through our doors," she said.

Members of Local 983, the Motor Vehicle Operators like Richard Carrigan, deliver the food to its destinations.

"I like being on the road and meeting the different people at the centers," he said. "I've been doing this for nine years and I feel good about it. Sometimes the elderly people come and thank me for carrying their food. It's very satisfying."

As a union representative for the Professional Division, Council Rep Alex Ellis appreciates the work that the members are doing.

"In a time of job insecurity, it's actually refreshing to hear that union workers are happy to show up every day to make a difference for the forgotten-for the poor and elderly," he said.

The staff and their clients at the FAN program are like a family.

"We see them every month and there's a lot of love in this place," said Taylor. "The clients share their stories. We sit and listen and joke, and that's what's wonderful about the place."

The centers serve diverse communities: Signs are posted in English, French, Spanish, Chinese, Russian, and other languages.

Not only does the program provide food, but nutrition is a big component of the program. One of the goals of the Health Division of Nutrition of the New York State Dept. of Health is to improve the health and diets of New Yorkers by providing nutritious foods and educating people about making healthy lifestyle choices. Six of the 10 leading causes of death in the United States are linked to poor diets. A nutritionist, a member of Local 1199, conducts classes on cooking, nutrition and making healthy food choices. In addition to seniors over the age of 60, other populations served by the program include some women and children who are not eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children-the WIC Program.

According to the Hunger Action Network, while children are less than a fourth (23 percent) of New York City's population, they represent 33 percent of city residents living below the federal poverty line. Forty percent of New York City residents are having difficulty affording food, a 60 percent increase since 2003. Ninety-three percent of food pantries and soup kitchens in the city saw an increase in first-time visitors in 2010.

As families sit down for celebratory Thanks giving and holiday meals, the work of those who feed the hungry and do it with abiding respect and great care deserves our appreciation.