More Bronx and city families are relying on charities to put food on the table, according to a study released Tuesday by the New York City Coalition Against Hunger.

The coalition says one in six city residents live in households where there isn?t enough money to buy food. A Bronx woman, who has been out of work for two months, says she gets food from the Benedict Avenue Food Pantry for her two children and grandson. Officials at the organization say they are so strapped for cash they?re turning away 15 percent of people in need and cutting hours.

City Council Speaker Christine Quinn says food pantries shouldn?t have to operate this way. Quinn is calling for more funding from the federal government and for eligible New Yorkers to apply for food stamps. The lawmaker says billions of dollars in aid allotted for the city remain in Washington because people aren?t applying for help.

Related InformationBenedict Food Pantry2044 Benedict Ave.917-529-5242