Millions of New Yorkers may soon lose access to SNAP benefits, and local food pantries are working to close the gap.

“The phone has been ringing off the hook today. Half the people are concerned to make sure our pantry program will be open tomorrow and the other half are wondering when they can bring food,” Peter Endriss said Friday.

What You Need To Know

• On Friday, two federal judges ruled that the Trump administration must continue to subsidize SNAP using contingency funds

• Gov. Kathy Hochul has fast-tracked more than $100 million for food banks and pantries across the state, and the Adams administration added $15 million in emergency funding to food assistance programs across the city

• SNAP serves about one in eight Americans and more than 1.8 million New York City residents

• New Yorkers can help by donating canned goods to local food banks, volunteering at soup kitchens and supporting mutual aid groups

Endriss is the executive director of a Brooklyn food pantry and soup kitchen called Community Help in Park Slope — or CHiPS.

The nonprofit organization has been serving New Yorkers for more than 50 years, and reliance on it has only grown.

“Already at the end of every month, we see our lines increase. So, people’s benefits weren’t even getting them through the month. So now, with the thought of SNAP benefits being delayed starting at the beginning of November, there is, I’ll call it, panic,” Endriss said.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture planned to freeze payments to SNAP starting Nov. 1 due to the ongoing federal shutdown. But on Friday, two federal judges ruled the Trump administration must continue to subsidize SNAP using contingency funds. Still, city leadership says more money is needed.

“The monthly allocation of SNAP in New York City is $420 million, so it is an important tool along with the other initiatives to address the most critical need, but it is no substitute. The city cannot play the role of the federal government, and really this is a federal responsibility,” Molly Wasow Park, with the city’s Department of Social Services, said.

Gov. Kathy Hochul has fast-tracked more than $100 million for food banks and pantries across the state, declaring a state of emergency. The Adams administration added $15 million in emergency funding to food assistance programs across the city.

“There’s about 700 food pantries across the city, from very small to very robust operations. That money is in hand today, so they’re able to acquire additional food and meet people’s needs on day one,” Wasow Park said.

SNAP serves about one in eight Americans and more than 20% of New York City residents. Endriss says the program is a safety net for everyone who may experience financial hardship.

“Events like this are a good reminder that we have to help ourselves as a community. We can’t necessarily rely always on government to pick up the pieces and so it’s heartwarming to see how people come together every day at CHiPS, and it’s extra heartwarming to see how they come together in an emergency situation like this,” Endriss said.

New Yorkers can help by donating canned goods to local food banks, volunteering at soup kitchens and supporting mutual aid groups.

More information is available here.