As New Yorkers struggle to afford food, they face compounding hardships and health challenges
“The latest Poverty Tracker Report is a solemn reminder this holiday season that almost half of New York families with children struggle to put food on the table. It is also a reminder that often, this struggle does not happen in isolation, with more than 4 in 5 New Yorkers facing severe food hardship also experiencing at least one other material hardship, like having their utilities shut off or being unable to afford to see a doctor. ”
Sofia’s story, excerpted from ‘Compounding Hardships and Health Challenges Among New Yorkers Struggling to Afford Food,’ shows how the experience of food hardship “piles up” with other compounding challenges, making getting by in the city feel nearly impossible.
Sofia’s Story
Sofia is a 42-year-old single mother who has grappled with economic insecurity since the start of the pandemic. Sofia lives with her two adult children in their early 20s, and early in the pandemic, she lost her long-term job like so many New Yorkers. After eight years of working in the same deli, Sofia found herself with no resources to fall back on to make ends meet for herself and her children. By the time we first interviewed her in July 2020, Sofia had already cut off her air conditioning, cable TV, and phone. She had even sold her car because she could not afford her car insurance, and she had fallen behind on her rent and gas bills. To make matters worse, she struggled to afford medical care when she and her daughter fell ill from COVID-19, having trouble affording their over-the-counter treatments.
Over the next two years, Sofia’s financial struggles and burdens persisted as she found sporadic employment and government aid proved elusive. She received just one month of SNAP benefits, and while the stimulus payments provided some relief, they only went so far in addressing her growing food concerns. Feeding her family increasingly became a priority, and with no savings or steady income, Sofia resorted to her credit card, her only resource, to cover the cost of food and try to keep up with her mounting utility bills.
When we followed-up with her again in April 2022, Sofia found herself overwhelmed with more than $4,500 in utility arrears and ever-deepening credit card debt. Worried about the increasing possibility that her utilities would be shut off, and struggling to buy basic hygienic necessities like soap, detergent, and feminine products, Sofia’s hardships continued to weigh on her. Though extreme in its severity, and tied to the pandemic, Sofia’s story shows how the experience of food hardship “piles up” with other compounding challenges, making getting by in the city feel nearly impossible. While more food assistance would undoubtedly help, Sofia’s economic insecurity is much deeper and more entrenched.
The Poverty Tracker is a longitudinal study of the dynamics of poverty and disadvantage in New York City.
It is a joint project of Robin Hood and Columbia University.
