Shutdown result? Hunger

Loss of SNAP benefits hits hard

By Zoey McGee | Manor Ink

Town of Rockland, NY – The sudden cutoff of SNAP benefits in early November pushed struggling families into a deeper crisis. In reporting on local efforts to help, Manor Ink spoke with Barry Lewis, senior public affairs officer for the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York.

The Regional Food Bank sources food from farmers, manufacturers, retailers, wholesalers and distribution centers. Much of the food comes from overproduction, mislabeled items or basic shipping errors. “None of it is expired,” Lewis emphasized.

Because of the organization’s size, the Food Bank can also purchase food at significantly lower prices than individual buyers and then distribute it across its network of pantries, backpack programs, soup kitchens, senior centers and schools. They support nearly 80 partner sites in Sullivan County.

But no matter how much food they rescue or purchase, Lewis said, “There is no way we can offset the loss of these SNAP benefits.” He added, “For every meal that we provide, SNAP provides about ten meals.”

Regional food insecurity growing

In Sullivan County, nearly 13,000 residents receive SNAP. That amounts to $2.5 million in monthly benefits, money that goes directly into groceries for families, seniors and working people struggling to keep up with rising prices.

“On Nov. 1, over 300,000 food-insecure New Yorkers in our 23-county region lost access to SNAP benefits,” Lewis explained. “That’s $59 million in SNAP benefits being withheld. That’s a loss of 36 million pounds of food per month.”

Even before the cutoff, the need in our region had been growing. Post-pandemic inflation and soaring food prices had pushed new groups of people to seek help. “We saw people going to food pantries who had never before gone,” he said. “Many were working full time but still falling short. Add the SNAP loss to that, and food pantries were seeing long lines.”

Local governments, restaurants, and volunteer groups tried to step in where they could. Lewis mentioned that some places are exploring emergency funds. Rotary clubs and small businesses have been coordinating food drives or helping distribute meals.

Local efforts to alleviate hunger

Here in Livingston Manor, along with pre-existing systems, the Calliope-on-Main Foundation and Gael Roots Community Farm announced a new free pantry called Calliope & Gael Grocers, offering pantry goods, fresh produce and meats when available. The space operates out of Life Repurposed at 62 Main Street, and launched on Nov. 11.

At the time the Ink spoke to Lewis, the federal government shutdown was still in effect. He said that even if benefits were restored, the need wouldn’t disappear. Families have already slipped into deeper insecurity, and recovery will take time. In the meantime, he encouraged the public to help in any way they can by volunteering, donating to or supporting local food pantries. There is additional information at the Food Bank’s website, regionalfoodbank.net.

Manor Ink also spoke with a local mother who, for privacy concerns, asked to remain anonymous. The cutoff hit her household especially hard. She has six children, aged two through sixteen, and works as a housekeeper while attending college. With winter approaching and her work hours reduced, she explained the timing could not have been worse.

“It did affect us when we got cut off,” she said. Without SNAP, she immediately had to rely on food pantries and church distributions in Roscoe and nearby towns. “I was going to food pantries and basically just surviving off of that,” she said.

What weighed on her was the pressure of feeding young children, especially when school requires students to bring snacks each day. She described the stress of planning breakfasts, lunches, dinners and multiple snacks for her two elementary-aged children. The pantry snacks often weren’t what her kids were used to, leading to challenging moments where they would have only the items the pantry had, instead of the other snacks their classmates had.

She said that many families she knows are in the same situation – single parents, households with children who have disabilities, or parents unable to work because they must care for their kids full-time.

Roscoe Presbyterian creates unique pantry

Roscoe, NY – On Sunday, Oct. 19, a ceremony was held at the Roscoe Presbyterian Church to dedicate a newly installed community pantry box on the church site. The pantry box was dedicated to the memory of Helen Stewart, a beloved church member and devoted Deacon, who passed away in 2023 at the age of 93. Three generations of the Stewart family were in attendance for the dedication. Lou Setren led the ceremony, fondly recalling Helen’s gift of knowing just what to do to help anyone in need. “It is with this memory in mind that the pantry box was established,” he said.

The pantry box, designed as a replica of the church, is located to the right of the church entrance. The box was constructed with lumber milled from a large spruce tree which was removed from the church property. Church Elder Stephen Dreher milled the lumber and designed as well as constructed the little church. Church member April McArthur painted the fine details on the box, matching the features of the church building.

Although “Helen’s Pantry” includes some nonperishable food items, its emphasis is on addressing other needs. To that end, the pantry box includes personal hygiene items for men and women, toothbrushes, baby needs, socks, gloves, hats, hand warmers, bathroom tissue, laundry detergent sheets and dishwashing liquid. The items are available to anyone in need, regardless of their circumstance. Helen’s Pantry also contains information regarding assistance available through local service agencies. Church members will monitor and refill the pantry box as needed.

For further information about Helen’s Pantry, contact Julie Dreher at 845-866-3549.

Soup kitchens and pantries

During times of food uncertainty, there are places for people to turn to in Sullivan County where they can find groceries or a hot meal. Here are some of those resources, and there is also a more comprehensive list created by SALT Cares at saltcares.com/food-pantry.

• Calliope & Gael Grocers provides free groceries to the community of Livingston Manor from their location at 62 Main Street, Suite 2. Follow their Instagram to see the days they will be open at @calliopegaelgrocers.

• United Methodist Episcopalian Church, Livingston Manor, hosts Soupy Tuesday every week from 4:30 to 6 p.m, and everyone who comes gets hot soup and a sandwich for takeout. They also host a food pantry the third Thursday of each month from 5 to 6 p.m. at 89 Pearl Street and Old Rte. 17. 845-439-3102.

• Shepherd’s Food Pantry, Roscoe, distributes boxes of groceries based on family size, and is open the third Wednesday of each month from 2 to 4 p.m. It’s located at 2 Church Street. 607-498-5549 or 607-498-5777.

• United Methodist Church, Callicoon, gives out food the second and fourth Wednesday of each month from 1 to 3 p.m. They are located at 9290 Rte. 97. 917-417-1539.

• St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Interfaith Council, Liberty, hosts a pantry on the second and fourth Friday of each month from 3 to 4:30 p.m. On Wednesdays, they serve takeout meals from 5:15 to 6 p.m., and they ask that you use the back door. They’re at 24 Chestnut Street. 845-292-4626 or 845 807-6464.

• Sullivan County Office for the Aging delivers to five sites throughout the county. Call for information regarding the Senior Nutrition Program, at 10 North Street, Monticello. 845-807-0241.

• Sullivan County Federation for the Homeless provides breakfasts Monday through Friday, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., and lunch, noon to 1 p.m. Their pantry is open every Thursday, noon to 1 p.m.; the Veterans pantry is open from 11:30 a.m. to noon. They can also help with emergencies on any open day. They’re at 9 Monticello Street, Monticello. 845-794-2604.