WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y. - Calling it “one of the most challenging hunger crises in years,” Feeding Westchester – the nonprofit that supplies food pantries across the county -- is marshalling all resources possible to help those in need during the record-breaking federal government shutdown.
Friday, Nov. 7, was Day 38 of the shutdown. Widespread impacts include flights being cut, food and other benefits being delayed, and thousands of federal employees left without pay.
The crisis started when lawmakers in Congress couldn’t agree on federal funding allocations.
Among the casualties of political battles raging in Washington, DC, is SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) which provide benefits to help low-income working individuals and families, senior citizens, and the disabled purchase food with EBT cards.
State food deliveries have been delayed indefinitely, cutting the organization’s monthly distribution by 20 percent, according to Chief Operating Officer Tami Wilson.
According to its “Hunger Report,” a new, recurring video series, besides stepping up its pleas for donations, Feeding Westchester – in partnership with the county and Bank of America -- has conducted an emergency food distribution at Westchester Airport for federal workers in October.
Also through this initiative, the organization will prepare shelf-stable food boxes to be delivered on Thursdays -- while supplies last -- via DoorDash, which is waiving all delivery fees for the program.
It, and other resources, can be accessed at www.feedingwestchester.org/find-help/
Wilson pointed out that the new requirements for receiving SNAP benefits – not expected until this coming spring – took effect on Nov. 1.
They increase the age limit for “Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents” from 49 to 54.
ABAWD’s must work or participate in a qualifying program for at least 80 hours per month (or about 20 hours per week) to receive benefits for more than three months in a 36-month period.
Other requirements, such as income and resource limits, reportedly remain similar to previous years'.
Another bit of “heartbreaking news” Wilson delivered via the “Hunger Report” was that nearly $4 million in federal funding had been axed from the organization’s distribution plan over the last two years.
The airport distribution program announced in October was supported by a $10,000 donation from Stop & Shop and provided food boxes to about 110 federal airport employees.
According to Feeding Westchester, as of Nov. 1, 74,000 people in Westchester were without SNAP benefits due to the shutdown. Nearly half of those were children and 30 percent were elderly.
Counties themselves have stepped up.
With no relief in sight, Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins at the end of October announced an emergency allocation of $50,000 from the Department of Social Services (DSS) budget to Feeding Westchester.
“The SNAP funding cuts are a choice made by President Trump and the Republican majorities in the Senate and the House. There was a plan to continue funding SNAP that was recently removed from the USDA website. Families across Westchester are facing an unimaginable hardship,” he said, vowing that the county cannot – and will not – allow people to go hungry.
“I can’t imagine the stress and anxiety our neighbors are feeling right now with the loss of federal paychecks and the uncertainty of SNAP benefits not being funded in just a few days,” Wilson said.
“To worry about where your next meal will come from, especially as we approach a holiday centered on food, gratitude, love, and family is something no one should ever have to face. We are so fortunate to have unyielding support and partnership from our community in the fight against hunger, with the County Executive and Westchester County Government right at the center,” she added.
The organization is sending additional food to its 175 community partners “as they brace for longer lines,” Wilson noted, adding that emergency efforts show “what’s possible when Westchester comes together -- county leadership, local businesses, and our hunger-relief network working side by side to support our neighbors.”
“The challenges ahead are real -- but so is the strength of this community. Together, we’ll make sure our neighbors don’t go hungry,” she added.
County Legislator Nancy Barr (District 6: Port Chester, Rye Brook, and Harrison), who supports the initiative, also attended the airport event.
Stop & Shop’s external communications manager, Daniel Wolk, noted the company’s ongoing commitment to hunger relief.
“Fighting hunger is Stop & Shop’s number one community involvement priority, and we’re proud to support Feeding Westchester’s work to help federal employees and their families during this challenging time,” he said.
Residents wishing to help can donate nonperishable food at drop-off boxes located at the Million Air FBO, Atlantic West FBO, and Atlantic East FBO at Westchester County Airport. In-person donations are also accepted at Feeding Westchester’s Distribution Center, 200 Clearbrook Road, Elmsford.
According to media reports, the New York Health Foundation, a private entity, pledged $1 million for immediate relief for the neediest SNAP recipients. That meant that each enrollee that’s entitled to the maximum benefits will get a $50 food payment.
A Rhode Island court on Thursday, Nov. 6, ordered the Trump administration to fully fund SNAP benefits by Friday, Nov. 7.
U.S. District Judge John McConnell, in granting the request from municipalities and nonprofits to order the government to release the monies, also admonished Justice Department lawyers for defying an earlier order, according to CBS News.
According to ABC News, the Trump administration immediately asked the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to issue an emergency stay of McConnell’s ruling, arguing that it is saving funds to pay for WIC, the USDA’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children.
It also asked that the appeals court rule by 4 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 7.
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