New York City emergency food services are on high alert in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy.

Soup kitchens and food pantries that serve 1.5 million New Yorkers have been doing more with less during the recession. But as the weeks pass since Superstorm Sandy hit, Food Bank For New York City President Margarette Purvis says the Office of Emergency Management told them to be ready to work at full capacity over the next 18 months.

“Are we prepared for 18 months of Sandy relief right now? No. No we are not. Will we get there? We’re going to have to. That’s our charge.”

Dr. Melanie Samuels from the Bed Stuy Campaign Against Hunger says they’re already strapped, but their client base is getting bigger because of displaced residents from Queens.

“One woman came into our establishment and said she now has 10 individuals from Coney Island now living with us.”

The Food Bank For New York City and its partners say it’s too soon to tell how many more residents they’re now serving. The thing they need the most right now is cash.