Hungry and unpaid workers scramble for free food in New York City as shutdown drags on
Over 750,000 federal workers have been furloughed due to the ongoing government shutdown. Here's where people facing food and financial insecurity can find assistance in New York City
The federal government has been shut down for over a month now, as Democrats and Republicans in the Senate remain deadlocked over essential federal funding legislation.
For a full month, out of the 2.1 million federal workers, over 750,000 have been furloughed, meaning they have been sent home without pay. Hundreds of thousands of other essential government employees are forced to work without pay.
Food banks have been strained as many federal employees are facing dire financial situations. To make matters worse, as we head into the holiday season, on Nov. 1, 42 million Americans who rely on food aid from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are going without this benefit.
One in seven New Yorkers currently relies on SNAP benefits to afford groceries, and other vital government-funded programs are under attack due to the ongoing government shutdown.
Governor Kathy Hochul and New York City businesses are stepping up to provide for all of the people impacted by the government shutdown so that they can put food on the table.
Here’s where furloughed workers and SNAP recipients can find free food in New York City:
Catholic Charities started an initiative for furloughed workers
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York had launched a “one-time, rapid-response relief initiative” to provide furloughed workers with immediate support thanks to private donors, according to its website.
“Catholic Charities stands with furloughed government employees and their families. This one-time support will offer immediate relief and a pathway to resources for ongoing stability,” said J. Antonio Fernández, CEO of Catholic Charities of New York.
Eligible government employees can apply for one-time assistance for food and housing assistance, counseling and case management, and employment development.Applicants only need a valid government-issued photo ID and a furlough notice to qualify.
Catholic Charities is also mobilizing additional food distributions to its pantries and community centers for New Yorkers who lack critical food assistance.
Pop-up food distribution by Food Bank for NYC
Food Bank for NYC is located on 103rd Street in Corona, Queens, and the pop-up food distribution site is providing produce, protein, and pantry items to 500 essential government workers, as reported by FOX 5.
Federal workers facing the pressures of food insecurity amid the lapse in federal funding can find assistance at this food bank.
Governor Hochul is providing state funds for SNAP recipients
Governor Hochul announced that New York State has fast-tracked $30 million in State funds to create 16 million meals for the over 3 million New Yorkers losing their SNAP benefits. New Yorkers affected by the federal cuts can find additional resources here.
This announcement comes after Gov. Hochul released $11 million in State funds to support local emergency food relief.
“While I’ve said repeatedly that no state can backfill these devastating cuts, I am committed to ensuring New Yorkers do not go hungry this holiday season and am taking action to support the families suffering the consequences of Republicans' cruelty,” Governor Hochul said in the press release.