Dear Friends, 

On Friday, October 31st, two federal judges ruled that the Trump administration must release emergency nutrition assistance for the more than 40 million Americans nationwide who were set to lose their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits as a result of the ongoing federal shutdown. This ruling comes as welcome news for the 73,000 residents of Westchester County and 3 million New Yorkers who rely on SNAP to afford food. 

Throughout the federal shutdown, the state has taken decisive action to protect residents. New York announced a total of $106 million in state funds for emergency food assistance, which will provide over 56 million meals to help stock food pantries and distribution centers.

With the federal government now ordered to restore funding, New York will continue working to ensure that these benefits are delivered quickly and that food assistance remains available to all who need it.

If you are being impacted by the shutdown or continue to experience disruptions in benefits, please visit this website to find resources, including local food pantries, social services, and information on state benefits you may be eligible to receive. 

Feeding Westchester continues to operate local food banks across the county, as well as mobile food pantries, trucks that deliver fresh food directly into neighborhoods. The mobile food pantry schedule can be found here. Select Feeding Westchester partners also provide delivery for homebound residents. Please call 914-923-1100 for details.

If you would like to support the Westchester community in this time of need, you can donate directly to Feeding Westchester. You can also contact local food pantries to learn about their most urgent needs, including food donations and volunteer opportunities. A full list of pantries can be found here. 

Some farmers markets, including the Hastings Farmers Market and the Pleasantville Farmers Market in my district, will continue to honor EBT cards as benefits resume. These markets are also seeking donations so they can continue to support EBT families as needed. 

For up-to-date information on SNAP benefits and the federal shutdown, please visit otda.ny.gov/snap-benefits-shutdown.asp. As always, you can contact my office at 914-423-4031, or by email at scousins@nysenate.gov, for assistance at any time.

Sincerely, 

Andrea Stewart-Cousins