'Hunger Is on the Rise. Food Donors Are Getting Creative.' diff viewer (9/10)

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Hunger Is on the Rise. Food Donors Are Getting Creative.	Hunger Is on the Rise. Food Donors Are Getting Creative.
2020-06-16 13:17:02 UTC	2020-06-16 23:54:40 UTC (about 11 hours later)
When Diego Gerena-Quiñones zips through the afternoon traffic in Midtown Manhattan on his cargo bike, it looks like he could be delivering shoes or office supplies. But his load is much more indispensable.	When Diego Gerena-Quiñones zips through the afternoon traffic in Midtown Manhattan on his cargo bike, it looks like he could be delivering shoes or office supplies. But his load is much more indispensable.
Everyday, Mr. Gerena-Quiñones and others at his cargo bike company make numerous pickups for Transfernation, a nonprofit that arranges for corporate cafeterias and restaurants to donate uneaten food to soup kitchens.	Everyday, Mr. Gerena-Quiñones and others at his cargo bike company make numerous pickups for Transfernation, a nonprofit that arranges for corporate cafeterias and restaurants to donate uneaten food to soup kitchens.
On a recent afternoon, Mr. Gerena-Quiñones made his third pickup at a private equity firm on Park Avenue, before heading to a law office a few blocks away. At both locations, a dining services employee gave him several trays of untouched, uneaten food, which on that day included grain salad, chicken meatballs and fresh fruit.	On a recent afternoon, Mr. Gerena-Quiñones made his third pickup at a private equity firm on Park Avenue, before heading to a law office a few blocks away. At both locations, a dining services employee gave him several trays of untouched, uneaten food, which on that day included grain salad, chicken meatballs and fresh fruit.
His final stop was the soup kitchen at Crossroads Community Services on East 51st Street and Park Avenue, where about 200 meals are handed out every weeknight.	His final stop was the soup kitchen at Crossroads Community Services on East 51st Street and Park Avenue, where about 200 meals are handed out every weeknight.
A dozen people stood in line outside the community center over an hour before the meals would be distributed. Half an hour later, the rear of the line approached Park Avenue. “The question,” Mr. Gerena-Quiñones said after dropping off the food and observing the growing line, “is how can we scale this?”	A dozen people stood in line outside the community center over an hour before the meals would be distributed. Half an hour later, the rear of the line approached Park Avenue. “The question,” Mr. Gerena-Quiñones said after dropping off the food and observing the growing line, “is how can we scale this?”
Food aid organization officials say their work feels like it’s going against the tide. Although 1.4 million city residents rely on various emergency food programs like food pantries and soup kitchens, that number is expected to significantly grow this year, as the federal government tightens the requirements to receive SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits, formerly known as food stamps.	Food aid organization officials say their work feels like it’s going against the tide. Although 1.4 million city residents rely on various emergency food programs like food pantries and soup kitchens, that number is expected to significantly grow this year, as the federal government tightens the requirements to receive SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits, formerly known as food stamps.
Beginning April 1, the United States Department of Agriculture will require all single, able-bodied adults between the ages of 18 and 49 who don’t have children and who are on food assistance to work 20 hours per week, or they will lose their SNAP benefits after three months. About 73,000 city residents will be affected, and about 31,000 could lose their benefits outright because they won’t be able to comply, said Sherry Tomasky, the communications director at Hunger Solutions New York, a nonprofit.	Beginning April 1, the United States Department of Agriculture will require all single, able-bodied adults between the ages of 18 and 49 who don’t have children and who are on food assistance to work 20 hours per week, or they will lose their SNAP benefits after three months. About 73,000 city residents will be affected, and about 31,000 could lose their benefits outright because they won’t be able to comply, said Sherry Tomasky, the communications director at Hunger Solutions New York, a nonprofit.
On top of that, a new policy that can deny green cards to immigrants who seem likely to rely on government benefits has pushed 78,000 noncitizens to drop or not enroll in SNAP altogether, even when they’re legally entitled to it, said Steven Banks, the city’s Human Resources Administration commissioner.	On top of that, a new policy that can deny green cards to immigrants who seem likely to rely on government benefits has pushed 78,000 noncitizens to drop or not enroll in SNAP altogether, even when they’re legally entitled to it, said Steven Banks, the city’s Human Resources Administration commissioner.
And the coronavirus pandemic is adding a new challenge: will food-insecure households have enough to eat in the event of a quarantine?	And the coronavirus pandemic is adding a new challenge: will food-insecure households have enough to eat in the event of a quarantine?
Although New York has introduced legal actions to stop the SNAP and green card changes, food insecurity is still a growing problem. This is why creative, hyperlocal solutions like Transfernation have been so busy.	Although New York has introduced legal actions to stop the SNAP and green card changes, food insecurity is still a growing problem. This is why creative, hyperlocal solutions like Transfernation have been so busy.
Using about 10 cargo cyclists and DoorDash drivers, the organization makes daily pickups from about 30 locations in Manhattan every day. Hannah Dehradunwala, Transfernation’s chief executive, said the goal is to make food donation as easy as calling an Uber.	Using about 10 cargo cyclists and DoorDash drivers, the organization makes daily pickups from about 30 locations in Manhattan every day. Hannah Dehradunwala, Transfernation’s chief executive, said the goal is to make food donation as easy as calling an Uber.
“I’ve noticed that if you give people an easy to use solution, they use it,” she said about the organization’s app-based service.	“I’ve noticed that if you give people an easy to use solution, they use it,” she said about the organization’s app-based service.
Other local organizations doing similar work include Rethink Food NYC, Rescuing Leftover Cuisine, Roho Compost and Replate.	Other local organizations doing similar work include Rethink Food NYC, Rescuing Leftover Cuisine, Roho Compost and Replate.
Hunger is a persistent problem in the United States. In 2018, 37.2 million people lived in food-insecure households, according to estimates from the Department of Agriculture, which also states that Americans waste about 30 percent of their food supply.	Hunger is a persistent problem in the United States. In 2018, 37.2 million people lived in food-insecure households, according to estimates from the Department of Agriculture, which also states that Americans waste about 30 percent of their food supply.
Last year, in an effort to deal with this disparity, the city’s Sanitation Department set up a food donation portal. About 400 donors and recipients, which include businesses, community colleges, nonprofits and religious organizations, have signed up so far, helping to divert about 44 tons of food from being thrown out, said Kathryn Garcia, the Department’s commissioner.	Last year, in an effort to deal with this disparity, the city’s Sanitation Department set up a food donation portal. About 400 donors and recipients, which include businesses, community colleges, nonprofits and religious organizations, have signed up so far, helping to divert about 44 tons of food from being thrown out, said Kathryn Garcia, the Department’s commissioner.
When people look at leftover food after an event and wonder if anyone wants it, the answer is always yes, Ms. Garcia said. A likely recipient, she said, is probably “right around the corner” from the event.	When people look at leftover food after an event and wonder if anyone wants it, the answer is always yes, Ms. Garcia said. A likely recipient, she said, is probably “right around the corner” from the event.
~~Updated June ~~12,~~ 2020~~	Updated June 16, 2020
	The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.	So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.	Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.	A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.	The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.	Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.	States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.	Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)	If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.	Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.	The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.	If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.	If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
The demand is such that local emergency food aid programs are at or near capacity. More than half of the soup kitchens and pantries cited in a recent report by the Food Bank for New York City said that they would run out of food in any given month, and 85 percent of them noticed more first-time visitors.	The demand is such that local emergency food aid programs are at or near capacity. More than half of the soup kitchens and pantries cited in a recent report by the Food Bank for New York City said that they would run out of food in any given month, and 85 percent of them noticed more first-time visitors.
Ryan O’Connor, a program assistant at the Coalition for the Homeless, the nonprofit that runs the evening meal program at Crossroads, has helped run the soup kitchen for the past four years. He said he “used to see a big increase around the 27th of the month” from New Yorkers needing meals after they had used their paychecks to cover rent, transportation and utilities. “Now it’s more like the 20th.”	Ryan O’Connor, a program assistant at the Coalition for the Homeless, the nonprofit that runs the evening meal program at Crossroads, has helped run the soup kitchen for the past four years. He said he “used to see a big increase around the 27th of the month” from New Yorkers needing meals after they had used their paychecks to cover rent, transportation and utilities. “Now it’s more like the 20th.”
Jenique Jones, a senior director of City Harvest, which redistributes food from over 2,500 businesses and organizations, said that its 400 affiliated soup kitchens and pantries could receive two million more visits this year than last.	Jenique Jones, a senior director of City Harvest, which redistributes food from over 2,500 businesses and organizations, said that its 400 affiliated soup kitchens and pantries could receive two million more visits this year than last.
Although experts agree that antipoverty policies have the biggest impact on hunger, the nonprofits feel a sense of urgency to find novel ways to address food insecurity, like housing more pantries at municipal offices and schools, or working to change laws so that leftover school cafeteria food can be taken home by students.	Although experts agree that antipoverty policies have the biggest impact on hunger, the nonprofits feel a sense of urgency to find novel ways to address food insecurity, like housing more pantries at municipal offices and schools, or working to change laws so that leftover school cafeteria food can be taken home by students.
Meanwhile, a public health crisis, like the current pandemic, brings hunger even more to the forefront, according to Dr. Deborah A. Frank, a professor at Boston University School of Medicine.	Meanwhile, a public health crisis, like the current pandemic, brings hunger even more to the forefront, according to Dr. Deborah A. Frank, a professor at Boston University School of Medicine.
She recalled a food-insecure mother who spoke to her during the anthrax scare after 9/11. The mother was agitated because she knew she wouldn’t have enough food on hand if a quarantine was required.	She recalled a food-insecure mother who spoke to her during the anthrax scare after 9/11. The mother was agitated because she knew she wouldn’t have enough food on hand if a quarantine was required.
“There are too many people who can’t stock three days’ worth of food, let alone two weeks,” she said.	“There are too many people who can’t stock three days’ worth of food, let alone two weeks,” she said.