For many families living in the Fordham and University Heights neighborhoods of the Bronx, making ends meet is a daily struggle. Nearly 3 in 10 residents (approximately 29.5%) live below the federal poverty line—well above New York City’s overall poverty rate of about 20%. At the same time, nearly two-thirds of households (about 65%) are rent-burdened, meaning they spend more than 30% of their income just to keep a roof over their heads. This leaves many families with difficult choices between paying rent and purchasing everyday necessities such as clothing, food, school supplies, and other essentials.
Recognizing these challenges, BELL Organization partnered with the Fordham–University Heights Family Enrichment Center to help ensure that the children and families they serve have access to clean, quality clothing. By providing this basic necessity, we help ease some of the financial burden on families, allowing them to redirect limited resources toward other essential needs while ensuring that children can attend school and community activities with dignity and confidence.