Blog Post from Stephen Grimaldi, Executive Director
“Those we serve are under attack.” That was my testimony Monday, March 17 to the New York City Council’s Committee of General Welfare. This is no exaggeration.
In the last two weeks the New York Common Pantry (NYCP) has been hit with devastating federal cuts to our crisis feeding programs, first to the Emergency Shelter and Feeding Program (EFSP) and most significantly, to the USDA-funded New York Food for New York Families program. In addition, the Mayor’s budget calls for a massive decrease in financial support for a crucial food initiative, Community Food Connections. NYCP was counting on committed funding by these three important programs for this year. Last year, these three programs provided funds enabling NYCP to provide more than 2 million meals, or over 18% of our total meal output.
More than Federal Funding Cuts; City Funding Cuts Too
Funding to these federal programs won’t be restored in the short term. In addition, proposed NYC funding cuts to the Community Food Connections (CFC) program would represent a “triple whammy.” At City Hall, the emergency food provider network implored the Mayor and City Council to increase CFC funding from FY25 levels of $60 million to $100 million in FY26. Distressingly, the CFC funding in the proposed FY26 budget decreases by 58% to a mere $20.9 million. NYCP received $500,000 in CFC funding last year and utilizes these funds to purchase food wholesale to support our Pantry programs. Without these funds, and with additional federal funding cuts, NYCP will need a massive infusion of private funding to address this funding gap.
Here’s the other sad fact — the need for food assistance across the city is increasing. At NYCP we have seen a 10% increase in demand for our food services over the first eight months of fiscal year 2025 as compared to the same time last year. Recently, many people have become unemployed, including federal workers. The cost of consumer goods has increased, leading to longer lines and people coming through our doors that have never used a pantry before. Additionally, proposed cuts to SNAP and Medicaid could bring even more people to food pantries. When times are tough, families don’t have enough money for food — and pantries must become the first line of defense.
How Can You Help?
- At the NYC level, please contact your local representatives and ask them to increase the Community Food Connections program funding to $100 million city-wide that would more adequately provide food pantries with the resources they need.
- At the NY State level, ask your State Senators and Assembly Members to provide adequate funding for the Hunger Prevention Assistance Program and Nourish NY, as well as to increase the SNAP minimum in NY state.
- At the national level, contact your senators and congress members to ask them to reinstate the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement – the source of funding for the New York Food for New York Families grant.
- Increase your involvement with and commitment to New York Common Pantry. Volunteer or donate — or do both!
We need you, and your neighbors need you.
P.S. The more voices they hear, the harder we are to ignore. Can you send a message to your City Council member right now?
Click here for sample letters to send your elected officials.