The CEO of Long Island Cares is asking the incoming Biden administration to convene a presidential commission on food insecurity in the country.

Paule Pachter is the CEO of Long Island Cares, the Island's first food bank, that was founded by singer-songwriter Harry Chapin 40 years ago.

"We're hoping the president-elect works with Congress and identifies a group of people with expertise in the area of food insecurity, poverty," says Pachter.

Pachter says 50 million Americans struggle with food insecurity and thinks the government hasn't taken a comprehensive approach on the matter in decades.

Rebecca Sanin, president and CEO of the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island, says people who were struggling months ago are now in a crisis.

"When you don't know how you're going to put food on the table, or keep the lights on or pay your rent, those are very traumatic experiences that impact child development ... that impact the trajectory of families," says Sanin.

Pachter says just since the beginning of the pandemic, they've seen a 58% increase in food insecurity. They say the numbers have jumped from 259,000 to 480,000 Long Island residents struggle with getting food on the table.

"With the numbers so high, with no relief in sight for months to come, we think this is a perfect time for the new administration to look at the issue," says Pachter.

Pachter says a deep dive analysis needs to be done to determine who so many are going hungry.

"The wellbeing of all of us depends on the wellbeing of each of us," says Sanin.

Pachter says he's hopeful that following the Jan. 20 inauguration that a White House staff member will follow up on the proposal.