By Jamie Martin
With the federal government shutdown disrupting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, New York City is stepping up to safeguard residents from hunger. Mayor Eric Adams announced new public-private partnerships to provide food support to 1.8 million affected New Yorkers.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has not distributed contingency funds, leaving millions without federal assistance. In response, the Adams administration has partnered with organizations including the New York Community Trust, United Way of New York City, and the Partnership for New York City to bridge the gap.
“New York Community Trust is proud to stand with our partners and the City to ensure that no New Yorker goes hungry during this crisis,” said Amy Freitag, president and CEO, New York Community Trust. “Local nonprofit organizations on the frontlines of food insecurity are best positioned to swiftly mobilize financial resources to support those in need. This is what community looks like — neighbors helping neighbors.”
Participating partners like City Harvest, Food Bank for NYC, and Lemontree will provide food and information on local pantries. The Roundtable: Allies for Food Access will help smaller pantries purchase supplies at reduced costs.
SNAP’s suspension also threatens local economies, with each $1 of benefits generating $1.54 in community spending. To address this, city agencies are coordinating outreach efforts, managing food resource lists, and encouraging donations.
Mayor Adams urged businesses and philanthropists to contribute to these emergency funds, ensuring no resident is left without essential food access during the federal shutdown.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-nobilior
Categories: National