Ahead of Thanksgiving, a new report shows more than a quarter of the Bronx’s population live in food insecure households, down from 29 percent in a period from 2012-14, but still higher than pre-recession era levels.

Bronx elected officials, activist and community leaders gathered the day before Thanksgiving at Part of the Solution Soup Kitchen and Food Pantry (POTS) on Webster Avenue to discuss the report by Hunger Free America and measures that can be taken to reduce food insecurity.

“When you invest in families and you provide them with access to food, you can change their lives,” Councilwoman Vanessa Gibson, covering the west Bronx, said. “The fact that the numbers are not yet where we want them to be just signifies the work that must continue.”

Despite the slight decrease in food insecurity in the period studied (2015-17) from the previous period (2012-14), the  report shows that the rate of food insecurity in the Bronx is by far the city’s highest. The citywide average is 12.8 percent of households, or 1,090,936 people. Trailing the Bronx are Brooklyn (11.5 percent), Manhattan (11.3 percent) and Queens (8.7 percent). There was not enough data to produce an accurate model of food insecurity for the Staten Island.

“We will continue to put up any funding we can and continue to push this administration and whatever next administration to do the things … to make sure all New Yorkers should always be comfortable and have food in their belly,” Councilman Andy King, covering the northeast Bronx, vowed at the press conference. “And not just food, quality food. Because some of the stuff they’re throwing in our neighborhoods is ridiculous that they want people to spend money on and put in their bodies that again that puts an adverse effect on their health.”

Food insecurity is categorized by the USDA–the federal agency who provided the data Hunger for America used in its report — as “low food security” and “very low food security.” A low food security household has reduced access to quality and variety of diet, while maintaining sustainable caloric levels. A household with “very low food security” is one with “disrupted eating patterns” and “reduced food intake.” According to Hunger for America, 290,469 people in the Bronx can be placed in one of those two categories, second only to Brooklyn’s 368,799 in total population.

The elected officials in attendance, including state state Sen. Gustavo Rivera, lauded city, state and federal programs that help New Yorkers purchase food and healthy food. Joel Berg, the CEO of Hunger Free America, called on Bronxites to call up their Senators and Congresspeople and express support for increased funding to programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.

Susan Resch, a board member of Hunger Free America’s leadership and community organizing training program, relies on SNAP benefits. The day of the news conference, she spoke through tears on how SNAP benefits help her and others in New York City.

“Thank god for SNAP and people who follow what Jesus said to do: feed my sheep and feed my lands,” Resch said. “SNAP benefits are considered one of the fastest and most effective forms of economic stimulus… for everyone $1 billion cut [in funding, there will be] 11,437 lost jobs.”

Resch pointed out that SNAP benefits allow her to make it through the week and purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at farmers markets, in order to maintain a healthy diet. Still, she says, SNAP is not enough.

“Our nation is the wealthiest nation in the world and no one should go hungry,” Resch said. “President Trump thinks that a box of dry goods will suffice? Who is he kidding? We should be ashamed of ourselves. If we don’t give mothers and veterans the ability to buy fresh fruits and vegetables”

The Trump administration has proposed several drastic changes to social safety net programs like SNAP, including a proposal that would replace SNAP benefits with a periodic delivery of dry and canned goods.

“America is exceptional, therefore we should not have this issue,” Bishop Earl McKay said. “Policy matters. Elections matter. And with the [Democratic] majority in the state Senate, we do hope to see more policy being put forward.”

The incoming Democratic majority in the state Senate was on the mind of the elected officials at the event on Wednesday. Rivera vowed to use the report and his new position in the majority “as an opportunity to formulate comprehensive, government-driven solutions to finally eradicate hunger and food insecurity from one of the richest cities in the world.” Gibson expressed similar sentiment, albeit a emotionally.

“I am looking forward to a Democratic majority in the state Senate. Thank you Jesus,” Gibson said. “We really have partners that all share the same values and the same vision and we don’t have to fight for basic necessity.”