MIDDLETOWN, N.Y.—City of Middletown mayor Joseph DeStefano announced on Oct. 27 that the city will be reallocating $10,000 in already received federal funds to provide emergency relief for families receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
The federal shutdown has continued through much of October, and unless Congress reaches an agreement before the beginning of November, SNAP benefits will lose their funding at that time.
SNAP, formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, provides food purchasing assistance to low-income families and individuals.
DeStefano said in the statement: “With the upcoming cutoff of benefits for many of our residents, we must act quickly, responsibly, and compassionately. These funds are already in our possession—and the most responsible use of them is to direct them to the people who need help right now.”
Initial funding is limited, but the city intends to keep the program going for as long as federal benefits remain unfunded. The initial program by the city is expected to assist about 200 Middletown families.
“This isn’t a long-term solution, but it is an important step. ... We will be pursuing additional resources to expand the relief effort, and if members of the community or local businesses would like to donate, we welcome their partnership,” DeStefano said.
The current limit is $50 per household, which can be spent at Garcia’s Supermarket on North Street or Market Fresh on Fulton Street.
Applicants can sign up at the Middletown website, in person, or by phone at 845-346-4180 beginning on Oct. 29. Applicants need to provide proof of City of Middletown residency, such as a driver’s license, other official ID, or a tax statement. Applicants also need to provide proof of current SNAP benefits.
Further details can be found on the city’s website. Benefit Certificates will start being distributed on Nov. 5.
Governor Kathy Hochul has announced $41 million in emergency food support since Oct. 24.
Hochul said in a statement, “With more than three million New Yorkers experiencing food insecurity, including more than 750,000 children under the age of 18, we are making investments in community-based food relief organizations to fight hunger and complement our wide-ranging affordability efforts.”
Charities and food banks such as the Hudson Valley Food Bank have been operating pop-up food pantries to help federal workers since the beginning of the shutdown.
SNAP provides about 42 million people with food every month. There has been an attempt in the Senate by Democratic lawmakers to fund SNAP. Senate Republicans have expressed intent to oppose the effort, saying it falls short as it doesn’t pay for other essential government workers including troops, law enforcement officers, and air traffic controllers.
President Donald Trump stated on Oct. 29 that the SNAP benefits situation will be resolved, saying, “We’re going to get it done.”
