Bread and Life recognizes that food, though essential, is only the first need that must be met. With all needs our guests present, inadequate or no housing, substance abuse issues, mental health issues, substandard or no income, legal issues, medical issues, and spiritual needs, our response is three-fold. First, every client is responded to with the recognition that they are inherently good. This response is based on the belief that we have been given resources; and it is our obligation to share them with those in need. Second, this work is coupled with a passionate belief in our responsibility for wise stewardship of the gifts our benefactors have entrusted to us. Bread and Life delivers its services in an ethical and cost effective manner, as the following chart indicates:
Department Costs per Meal
Bread and Life Cost
Estimated Value per Meal*
Savings
Soup Kitchen
$ 3.82
$ 7.99
$ 4.17
Mobile Soup Kitchen
$ 3.98
$ 6.99
$ 3.01
Food Pantry
$ 1.70
$ 3.50
$ 2.99
Combined averaged cost per meal
$ 3.16
$ 6.16
$ 3.39
Social Service Units of Service
Cost Per unit of Service
Average $ gain for Guests per unit of service**
Difference
$7.90
$136.20
$128.30
* Meal values are averaged between lowest and highest cost,
due to menu variations.
**The monies include Food Stamps Public Assistance Grants , Social Security Benefits , Earned Income Tax Credit and Wages
Third, through the generous support of Robin Hood Foundation, Bread and Life has undertaken an expansion of our data collection system, which for the first time will allow us to collect detailed information on all those we serve, which will more readily identify cohorts, and will, most importantly, allow us to respond more quickly and efficaciously to the needs of our clients and advocate more effectively on their behalf.
Every day, Bread and Life serves over 2,300 meals to hungry New Yorkers. Along with this, we respond to some of our community's most pressing needs, while doing all of this with a spirit of compassion and justice. As Bread and Life embarks on its next 25 years, our ministry continues to embody its mission of Feeding Body, Mind and Spirit.
