Several local food banks will benefit from an emergency food assistance grant. Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the $4.5 million increase this week.
The awards will be distributed to 46 organizations that serve 2,600 emergency food providers across New York State. The food bank of Western New York, Cattaraugus Community Action, Heart, Love & Soul Inc., and Chautauqua County Rural Ministry are among those to receive funds locally.
Cuomo says the award is in response to the recent reduction in federal SNAP food assistance program. In New York State, 3.1 million people were impacted.
“The state is going to do everything it can to try and rectify the situation. We cannot obviously make up for the cut in the federal government, but we will be providing an increase of about 15%,” said Cuomo.
Cuomo says the funds comes as many will go without food this holiday season.
“In terms of Thanksgiving, it’s a time to remember also how lucky we are, how lucky our families are, how lucky this state is, and there are people who are not as lucky. Roughly 13% of the people in this state don’t have enough food to eat,” said Cuomo.
Cuomo is encouraging everyone to donate food or volunteer at the food banks in their neighborhood.