Legislature Votes, Day Signs Off on $2 Million for Local Food Pantries

Rockland County legislators have voted unanimously to allocate $2 million to help local food pantries meet a surge in demand for food assistance following the lapse of funding to the federal SNAP program.

Rockland County Legislature Chairman Jay Hood Jr. stressed the need to move quickly in getting funding to the pantries.

“We need to treat this as an emergency situation, that’s why I called for this special meeting,” Chairman Hood said. He noted that County government currently has a significant fund balance. “With smart budgeting over the last few years together with County Executive Ed Day we have built a healthy fund balance. This is a perfect time to use some of that fund balance. It’s there for a rainy day and this is certainly a rainy day for many of our families.”

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federal anti-hunger program that provides benefits to qualified low-income households, including seniors, people with disabilities, veterans, working families, and others to help people afford nutritious food and prevent hunger.

County Legislator Beth Davidson noted that SNAP benefits have never been withheld before, even during previous federal government shutdowns and particularly during a time when food prices are soaring, unemployment is rising, federal workers are missing paychecks, and Thanksgiving is fast approaching.

“I don’t have to tell anyone here that basic nutrition is a human right and that food insecurity is linked to so many other negative outcomes, from health outcomes to economic stability, educational outcomes, housing insecurity, basic safety and so much more,” Legislator Davidson said. “I’m grateful that we have so many truly wonderful nonprofits here in Rockland…who are deeply rooted in our community, know our community and are ready to jump at a moment’s notice to serve our communities like never before.”

The USDA has stated it will send only partial payments and it will not opt to tap additional funds beyond its contingency; there may only be enough funding to provide about half of eligible households’ current allotments this month, according to published reports.

SNAP serves about 1 in 8 Americans – about 42 million Americans – and is considered a major piece of the nation’s social safety net.

About 55,400 Rockland residents receive SNAP benefits, which further compounds the food insecurity already affecting 12% of county residents.

“This is an emergency, plain and simple,” said County Executive Ed Day. “When Washington fails to act, local government must step up. This funding will make sure that food continues to reach the tables of the Rockland families who need it most.”

In the chaos unfolding since the funding lapse, food pantries across America – and here in Rockland County – have launched massive food drives, along with requests for financial donations, as they work to try to close some of the gap.

Several pantry leaders, including Diane Serratore, CEO of People to People, and Julian Palmer, CEO of TOUCH, were among those attended the legislative meeting. County Legislator Jesse Malowitz was among those acknowledging their tireless efforts.

“This shouldn’t be necessary, and to all the nonprofit leaders that seemingly day by day do so much more with so much less, you shouldn’t have to go through this either,” Legislator Malowitz said.

Specifically, the legislators voted to earmark $2 million to the county Department of Social Services, which will be distributed to local pantries and feeding programs. The funding is available while SNAP benefits are cut off due to the federal government shutdown. If any monies remain unspent, the funds would be returned to the county’s contingency fund.

“This measure, like many measures that directly impact the people of Rockland County, was an effort that is collaboration between the majority and minority,” County Legislator Alden Wolfe said. “I hope that spirit will waft its way up the chain to Washington where this political football can be finally spiked and we can get past this shutdown.”

The County of Rockland, and the Towns of Clarkstown, Haverstraw, Orangetown, Ramapo and Stony Point also launched a countywide food drive. Donation bins are available at the following locations:

• Robert L. Yeager Health Center Building A Lobby 50 Sanatorium Road, Pomona
• Allison-Parris County Office Building 11 New Hempstead Rd., New City
• Town of Clarkstown Town
• Hall 10 Maple Ave., New City
• Town of Haverstraw Town Hall 1 Rosman Road, Garnerville
• Town of Orangetown Town Hall 26 W. Orangeburg Rd., Orangeburg
• Town of Ramapo Town Hall 237 Route 59, Suffern/Airmont
• Town of Stony Point Town Hall 74 East Main Street, Stony Point