The Trump administration on Monday said it would only partially pay for food assistance benefits this month after two federal judges ordered it to fund the program despite the government shutdown.
SNAP payments that help 1.8 million New Yorkers eat came to a historic halt this weekend, after the Trump administration said it ran out of money.
After two judges ruled Friday that the Trump administration must use contingency funding to make payments, the administration said in court papers Monday that it will send those out this month. But it’s unclear how quickly payments will resume or how much payments will be reduced. SNAP recipients get their EBT cards loaded on different days of the month, so the longer the delay, the more people will be unable to afford their groceries.
Food pantries and local officials are scrambling to boost supplies to respond to a surge in need, as are city and state officials.
Here’s how you can help:
Volunteer
Food pantries and food banks are always looking for volunteers. And now with an expected increase in demand, providers will likely need more help.
You can reach out to your local pantry or find one near you on the maps by City Harvest of Food Bank of NYC.
You can also check with your local mutual aid group, council member or church in case they are organizing emergency drives.
If you have a child in day care, check in with your provider in case they need any support or are providing aid to families receiving SNAP. One in four child care workers receive SNAP benefits.
Donate
Food banks say cash donations can often stretch further than meal donations because they allow for larger purchasing power to buy items in bulk.
You can donate to large umbrella organizations that subsidize smaller, partner pantries such as City Harvest or Food Bank of NYC. You can also find and donate to your local pantry. Some, like the New York Common Pantry, might have specific needs or wish lists depending on who they serve.
Organizations such as United Way of NYC are also emergency fundraising to provide grants to their smaller partners and direct cash assistance to families. WIN, the largest provider of shelter and supportive housing to families with children, is also fundraising to give their clients gift cards to buy food.
Your local PTA may also be conducting a food drive for families.
Check on your neighbors
If you know family members or friends who receive SNAP, check in on them and offer to pick up some food at a local pantry or help direct them to resources. Pantries will normally allow you to pick up food on behalf of another person so long as they are registered.
For older adults who are homebound, Citymeals on Wheels offers meal delivery.
The Plentiful app tells users where the nearest pantry is and allows them to preregister.
DoorDash announced it is waiving delivery and service fees for SNAP recipients.
Branch out
Food insecurity is on the rise and in some areas of the city, more than half of households rely on SNAP.
Gothamist crunched some numbers on where the highest number of SNAP recipients are, including neighborhoods like Mott Haven, Melrose and Port Morris in the Bronx and Brownsville and Ocean Hill in Brooklyn.
See our map here about neighborhoods that may need more help.
Have other resources to share? Please link to them in the comments section.
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