For the first time in our nation’s modern history, the Federal government will withhold SNAP funding on November 1st.
Here’s What We Know:
Over 200,000 members of our community here in Brooklyn will be directly impacted by this pause in SNAP funding.
Yesterday, Governor Kathy Hochul has declared a State of Emergency in New York. She also announced $65 million in state funds for emergency food assistance.
To be clear, the Federal government has contingency funding for SNAP. The USDA is refusing to use those funds to cover SNAP benefits in November. 42 million Americans are enrolled in SNAP.
What’s Happening at Neighbors Together
At Neighbors Together, according to a recent survey, over 80% of our members are enrolled in SNAP.
We’re seeing the impact firsthand:
- Currently, we are serving 600 to 800 meals daily – a record-breaking number for our organization
- We anticipate this number will rise significantly in November
- The status of the state’s emergency funding remains uncertain
But here’s what we do know:
- We will be open.
- We will be here to serve our members.
We also know that we cannot fill the gap in SNAP funding through meals in our soup kitchen alone. SNAP is a vital resource for our neighbors, and we’re calling on the USDA to release contingency funding to support families and communities in need.
How You Can Support Our Work:
Today, we are launching our Holidays Without Hunger campaign to directly support the meals we are serving in our Cafe, and the incredibly increased need we are anticipating this holiday season.
Thousands of our neighbors already come to us during this time, and now more than ever before we are calling for your support of our on the ground work here in Brooklyn.
- Donate to support our meals at neighborstogether.org/holidays
- Call your member of Congress and ask them to pressure the USDA to release contingency funds for SNAP
- Share our work and spread the word about the immediate need for our neighbors
Thank You Standing With Us
As we face this alarming and uncertain time in our country, we want to thank you for standing with us. We simply cannot do this work in Brooklyn without you. At Neighbors Together we are open five days a week, serving meals to our neighbors, providing stabilizing soial services, and fighting for policies that support our community. All of this is only possible because of your donations and your advocacy.
Thank you for standing with us. We will get through this together.
With Deep Gratitude,
The Neighbors Together Team
