New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a statewide “food emergency” on Thursday as federal officials warned that funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will be exhausted this weekend due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, as reported by The New York Post.

Speaking from a food pantry in Harlem, Hochul said her administration would not “be passive observers” while families face disruptions in access to food assistance. “We’re not going to be passive observers to this,” Hochul said.

To offset the anticipated shortfall, Hochul announced an additional $65 million in state emergency food relief funds to sustain benefits after the federal freeze takes effect on Saturday.

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That amount comes on top of $30 million the governor announced earlier in the week, bringing the total state commitment to $95 million.

The governor said New York typically receives and distributes about $650 million each month in federal SNAP funds, which provide food assistance to more than 2.8 million residents across the state.

The funds are administered by the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance in partnership with local social services agencies.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) warned earlier this week that without new appropriations, SNAP funding nationwide will lapse beginning November 1.

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While the agency holds an estimated $5 billion in contingency reserves, officials said the money is “not legally available” for state use absent congressional approval of a funding measure.

The shutdown, now in its fifth week, has left millions of Americans uncertain about when critical government programs — including food benefits, housing assistance, and federal paychecks — will resume.

In New York, officials estimate that roughly one in seven households relies on SNAP to help cover monthly grocery costs.

Hochul said the state’s emergency action would be temporary and designed to bridge the gap until federal lawmakers reach an agreement to restore funding.

Danville – June 2, 2023: SNAP and EBT Accepted here sign. SNAP and Food Stamps provide nutrition benefits to supplement disadvantaged families.The governor also urged Washington lawmakers to act swiftly to end the shutdown, which has already begun to affect several federally funded programs across the state.

Hochul’s declaration comes amid mounting pressure from local officials and advocacy organizations who say food pantries have seen a sharp increase in demand as the shutdown continues.

According to Feeding New York State, an umbrella organization representing food banks statewide, some facilities have reported a 20% surge in visitors over the past two weeks.

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