This story has been updated to reflect the federal court decisions on Oct. 31.
Two federal judges said Friday that the Trump administration must tap into billions of dollars in emergency funds to at least partially cover food stamp benefits for tens of millions of Americans in November, CNN reports.
The rulings from judges in Massachusetts and Rhode Island reject a controversial US Department of Agriculture claim that it could not use a contingency fund, which the agency says has $5.3 billion remaining in it, to help cover the benefits amid the month-long government shutdown.
“Today’s ruling brings a measure of hope to the thousands of Connecticut residents who rely on SNAP benefits to feed their families,” said Nancy Coughlin, CEO of Darien-based Person to Person. “At Person to Person, we see firsthand the impact that food insecurity has on our neighbors — parents skipping meals so their children can eat, seniors stretching their benefits to last through the month, and individuals facing impossible choices between food, rent, and medicine.
“While we are encouraged by the court’s decision, the uncertainty of the past weeks has underscored how fragile the safety net can be. No one should have to wonder where their next meal will come from.
We urge federal officials to follow through without delay. Person to Person will continue to stand with our community, providing food, financial assistance, and hope to anyone in need for as long as this crisis continues and beyond.”
Non-profit organizations in Hudson Valley and Fairfield County are doing their part to help the nearly 500,000 families who will stop receiving vital federal food stamps as of Nov. 1.
With the federal government shutdown halting SNAP or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, benefits, thousands of Connecticut residents stand to lose funds for food. The funds, available on EBT cards, were once known as food stamps that are provided to eligible residents through the federal government. The funds cutoff is due to President Trump’s decision to stop the payments while federal government shutdown continues despite money available in federal reserves.
In response to the cutoff, Darien-based Person to Person (P2P) is expanding its food programs by 50% to make sure local families, seniors and individuals continue to have access to healthy food during this uncertain time.
Each month, more than 390,000 Connecticut residents rely on SNAP to put meals on the table, including 18,000 people in towns P2P serves. If federal funding remains paused, people across the state, particularly in high-cost regions like Fairfield County, will face difficult choices between food, rent, health care and utilities.
On Thursday, in an effort to support Hudson Valley residents, Empire State Voices partnered with the Tarrytown Community Opportunity Center and the Peekskill Housing Authority to donate canned goods, nonperishables to local families in need.
Despite their complete control in Washington, Congressional Republicans have been unwilling to pass legislation to roll back the healthcare and food assistance cuts they made earlier this year and reopen the government.
Additionally, Senate Republicans have just announced that they intend to block a Democratic bill that would keep food assistance flowing, and the Trump administration has refused to extend any contingency funding to keep the program operational. This will leave families across the country unable to put food on the table.
“At a time when parents should be enjoying the holiday with their kids, far too many are worrying about how they’re going to put food on the table come Monday,” said Dylan Wheeler, NY-17 Regional Organizing Director for Empire State Voices. “Tariffs have already sent grocery prices through the roof, and the expiration of ACA healthcare tax credits means that thousands of families across the Hudson Valley are about to see their premium costs skyrocket. Household budgets are being strained past the breaking point.”
Tarrytown’s Community Opportunity Center has already seen the impact of the impending SNAP cutoff prior to today.
“As the local food pantry here in Tarrytown, we’ve seen a large uptick in clients’ needs with the potential for SNAP funding to be cut starting Saturday,” said Doris Inzar, director of the Tarrytown Community Opportunity Center. “This has put ourselves and other pantries in the area in dire straits and in need of more food donations.”
P2P’s food pantries and mobile food programs serve thousands of households each month, offering groceries, fresh produce, and essentials at no cost. As the SNAP shutdown looms, the organization is increasing food distributions, extending service hours, and working closely with local partners, schools, and faith communities to reach more families in need.
“The need is growing every day,” Coughlin added. “We’re ready to respond, but we can’t do it alone. Every food or financial donation, every volunteer shift, every food drive helps ensure that no one in our community goes hungry.”
How to help
Donate to P2P: Financial gifts make it possible to purchase fresh food and restock pantry shelves quickly. Food donations of our most needed items also help.
Volunteer with P2P: Help sort, pack, or distribute food at one of P2P’s pantry locations.
Donate to Tarrytown Community Opportunity Center: Click here.
