Survey: 1 In 6 New Yorkers Can't Afford Enough Food

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A new report shows that more and more people are relying on New York City's 1,100 soup kitchens and food pantries for meals.

More than 1.4 million New Yorkers -- about one in six residents -- cannot afford enough food, and the numbers are going up, Joel Berg, executive director of the New York City Coalition Against Hunger, told WCBS 880's Rich Lamb.

Listen to Report: 1 In 6 New Yorkers Can't Afford Food

Berg said federal cuts have amounted to the loss of over $400 million in food aid.

WEB EXTRA: 2014 Annual Hunger Survey | Hungerthon 2014: Donate To Help End Hunger

"People need to understand all the charities on the planet cannot make up for the fact that the federal government is pulling out the rug under the feet of hungry people," he said. "Sometimes, people have the impression that we can end hunger with a few more canned food drives. That's sort of like giving the impression we can fill the Grand Canyon with a teaspoon."

As Berg put it, New York City has far more hunger than any other world capital.

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