A new report by the Food Bank of New York City has found that thousands of Bronx and city children head to school hungry each day.

The Food Bank report shows that many families rely mainly on emergency food programs, such as soup kitchens, food pantries and shelters. According to the report, out of the 1.2 million families using the programs, 40 percent showed difficultly affording food in 2005.

Statistics show one in four children in Bronx and the city live below the poverty line, yet many of them are overweight. Food Bank officials say children who live in poverty have no choice but to eat foods high in fat and calories. The Food Bank says increasing access to child nutrition programs is the only way to combat this problem.

Related Information:Food Bank for New York City