We want to update you on newly proposed Federal funding cuts that will slash food programs to the vulnerable communities New York Common Pantry (NYCP) serves and impede our ability to continue serving them. We urge you to help us by reaching out to your elected officials to do more to preserve the nation’s food assistance programs. Here’s what’s at stake:
Elimination of Senior Food Program
First is the cut to the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP). This program provides more than 700,000 seniors nationwide with nutritious USDA foods to help them maintain their overall health while helping them stretch their monthly fixed incomes. Specifically, through New York Common Pantry’s Nourish program, we provide healthy supplemental food packages to more than 18,000 seniors in the NYC area each month, serving nearly 4.8 million meals in FY2024. The current federal budget proposes eliminating this program and replacing it with “Make America Healthy Again” food boxes as implemented during COVID. That program was proven to be inefficient, provided a smaller quantity of food and food with less nutritional value, and had logistical challenges. Losing CSFP funding would mean our Nourish Program seniors would receive inadequate and unhealthy foods, if they receive them at all.
Let your members of Congress know you are against these cuts.
Tell Your Representatives to Oppose Cuts to CSFP
Elimination of SNAP-Ed Nutrition Education
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has been the foundation of providing food assistance to fight hunger in the US for decades and SNAP nutrition education (SNAP-Ed) is offered to help low-income families lead healthier lives. Part of the proposed federal budget cuts is the elimination of SNAP nutrition education (SNAP-Ed). Our NYCP’s Live Healthy! Program, which is funded through SNAP-Ed, teaches people how to stretch their food dollars, to shop for and cook healthy meals, and lead physically active lifestyles. Last year, Live Healthy! worked with more than 22,000 New Yorkers to create healthier lifestyles for themselves and their families. The termination of this education program will have a devastating effect on the low-income communities we serve.
Reduced SNAP and Medicaid Benefits
Currently more than 1.7 million New Yorkers participate in SNAP. The current proposed budget reconciliation cuts billions of dollars from SNAP, including reducing benefits received by individuals and families. In addition, the proposed $715 billion in healthcare cuts, primarily to Medicaid, will leave at least 8.6 million people uninsured and without access to healthcare.
Food insecurity continues to rise in New York and the communities we serve every day will be heavily impacted by such drastic cuts to SNAP and Medicaid, making it harder for families to access the food and healthcare they need.
NYCP served more than 11 million meals through all of our food programs in FY2024. Currently, 77% of our Bronx Pantry guests and 92% of our East Harlem Pantry guests are receiving or are eligible for Medicaid benefits. The increased financial hardship for New Yorkers when SNAP and Medicaid benefits are reduced or eliminated will drive more people to NYCP for assistance.
Tell Congress to Protect SNAP & Medicaid
Your Continued Support is Needed
As you can imagine, these looming government budget cuts are daunting. NYCP remains steadfast in its mission to continue to provide food and services to our communities in need. We appreciate all of the support you have been giving us, and ask that if you are able to do more to help at this critical time – with a monetary donation or an extra volunteer shift — we would be grateful.
Sincerely,
Stephen Grimaldi
Executive Director
New York Common Pantry