The U.S. Department of Agriculture is threatening to withhold funding for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits in states that did not provide data on their program recipients. That includes the state of New York. This comes less than a month after the federal government shutdown delayed benefits. Roughly 3 million New Yorkers rely on monthly SNAP benefits, and with benefits being at risk, the need for mutual aid is ramping up in the North Country.”Food-related issues have definitely been increased in this current time with the delay and heat and SNAP benefits, we’re seeing people having to make some real tough choices between keeping their electricity on and being able to eat,” Randi Christodoulou, outreach specialist at the United Way of the Adirondack Region, said. More than 21,000 residents throughout Clinton, Essex and Franklin counties rely on the benefits to help pay for groceries, according to NY Gov.”There’s a lot of people who kind of rely on the SNAP and the benefits here. There’s a lot of families who kind of struggle,” Ticonderoga resident Adriana Borho said. Local nonprofits say the increased risk makes the community response all the more important.”It’s very important that, as a region, we’re empathetic to what our friends and neighbors need across the region,” John Bernardi, CEO of the United Way of the Adirondack Region, said. “It’s important to remember that we don’t always view the world through the same lens as everyone else does. And what you may take for granted one day may be what your friend or neighbor is struggling with.”The threat comes at a dreadful time, as food prices have jumped nearly 25% since 2021 across America, according to NIQ.”So, they are asking for help a little bit more than what they would throughout the, the rest of the year,” Lisa Goodrow, community outreach director at JCEO, said. “Cost of food, the cost of living — I mean, everything has increased, and it’s really nice to just have the added support.”
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. —
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is threatening to withhold funding for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits in states that did not provide data on their program recipients. That includes the state of New York.
This comes less than a month after the federal government shutdown delayed benefits.
Roughly 3 million New Yorkers rely on monthly SNAP benefits, and with benefits being at risk, the need for mutual aid is ramping up in the North Country.
“Food-related issues have definitely been increased in this current time with the delay and heat and SNAP benefits, we’re seeing people having to make some real tough choices between keeping their electricity on and being able to eat,” Randi Christodoulou, outreach specialist at the United Way of the Adirondack Region, said.
More than 21,000 residents throughout Clinton, Essex and Franklin counties rely on the benefits to help pay for groceries, according to NY Gov.
“There’s a lot of people who kind of rely on the SNAP and the benefits here. There’s a lot of families who kind of struggle,” Ticonderoga resident Adriana Borho said.
Local nonprofits say the increased risk makes the community response all the more important.
“It’s very important that, as a region, we’re empathetic to what our friends and neighbors need across the region,” John Bernardi, CEO of the United Way of the Adirondack Region, said. “It’s important to remember that we don’t always view the world through the same lens as everyone else does. And what you may take for granted one day may be what your friend or neighbor is struggling with.”
The threat comes at a dreadful time, as food prices have jumped nearly 25% since 2021 across America, according to NIQ.
“So, they are asking for help a little bit more than what they would throughout the, the rest of the year,” Lisa Goodrow, community outreach director at JCEO, said. “Cost of food, the cost of living — I mean, everything has increased, and it’s really nice to just have the added support.”