Putnam Comes Together to Fight Hunger

By Holly Crocco

Whether you blame the Democrats or the Republicans for the current federal government’s shutdown – the longest in U.S. history – what is undisputable is the bipartisanship and compassion shown by the local community that steps up when neighbors are in need.

In this case, it’s to support the nearly 3,000 individuals in Putnam County who are not receiving their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, as – also for the first time in history – funding for the program has come to a halt.

While benefits were already not going to be delivered due to the shutdown, new rules also went into effect Nov. 1 that push some people out of the program due to an estimated $186 billion federal spending cut over the next decade.

SNAP is a federal program designed to help low-income individuals and families afford nutritious food. It provides monthly benefits via an Electronic Benefits Transfer card that can be used to buy groceries at authorized retailers, including supermarkets and convenience stores.

According to USA TODAY, the Trump administration announced plans to distribute partial SNAP benefits in November, following two federal judges’ rulings that the Department of Agriculture must continue covering food stamps during the government shutdown.

The USDA stated that it currently has $4.65 billion in SNAP contingency funds, which is approximately half of the $9.2 billion that it is projected SNAP will cost in November. It is not known when those benefits will be distributed.

Putnam County Approves Emergency Spending

County Executive Kevin Byrne explained that New York is one of 10 states in the country in which counties implement the SNAP program. However, the county cannot legally backfill a federal program. “I can’t take county tax dollars and make a Putnam-ized SNAP,” said Byrne.

What the county can do is beef up its own services and support systems.

According to Byrne, of the 2,900 SNAP-eligible individuals in Putnam, 950 (one-third) are seniors.

“We have enhanced inter-agency collaboration between our departments, specifically the Office for Senior Resources and the Department of Social Services, to help SNAP-eligible seniors,” he said. This way, DSS can refer individuals to the Office for Senior Resources, where they may not be able to get SNAP right now, but they can receive other services to help meet their needs.

The county is also prepared to increase staffing in these departments because, even if the funding hasn’t started flowing again, applications are still being submitted and casework still needs to be done.

The County Legislature on Nov. 5 unanimously approved an emergency proposal to designate $150,000 to support local food-assistance programs.

Since the county doesn’t have contracts with the individuals food pantries, Putnam is filtering funding through partners that have the necessary contracts with the pantries, to save the time and money that would be spent if the county’s law department had to draft up contracts.

A total of $75,000 is going to United Way of Westchester & Putnam for the purchase and distribution of supermarket gift cards to SNAP recipients and the awarding of grants to food pantries throughout the county. United Way is also working with DSS, Cornell Cooperative Extension-Putnam County, and Second Chance Foods to deliver food and meals directly to affected residents.

This initiative may also help non-SNAP-eligible individuals, which Byrne said is another win.

A total of $50,000 is going to Putnam Community Action Partnership. “They actually track the SNAP-eligible population that they already provide services for, and they are a partner we already have a contract with,” said the county executive.

Lastly, a total of $25,000 is going to CCE, which works with Second Chance Foods, to scale up the Bountiful Meals program in which freezers are stocked with meals at local libraries, senior centers, and other locations for anyone to take.

Another $150,000 has also been added to the county’s 2026 budget for food insecurity for the Legislature and administration to distribute as needed next year.

Byrne said that, hopefully, the federal government will reopen and services will start flowing again – especially before the winter hits and Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) benefits are in jeopardy.

“I hope the federal government does the right thing and ends this silly, childish shutdown before more people get hurt, before people go hungry,” he said. “Pass a clean resolution. Reopen the government.”

Agencies Answer the Call

Putnam Community Action Partnership in Brewster serves almost 500 families per week at its food-pantry operation.

During a recent visit to the site, State Sen. Pete Harckham, D-Peekskill, was able to see firsthand the scale of need, meet staff and volunteers, and spotlight both the challenges and successes of local food-security responses. 

“Food pantries serve as vital community lifelines when public-assistance programs fall short, are delayed, or non-existent,” he said. “We may not be able to replace the federal nutrition safety net, but every donation can help a working family keep food on the table.”

Martha Elder, co-founder and executive director of Second Chance Foods, also in Brewster, issued a plea to the community in the days before SNAP benefits were cut off.

“In the 60 years since SNAP began, this has never happened before,” she said. “This is a crisis that we cannot ignore.”

The agency recently hosted a stuff-the-truck event to collect shelf-stable donations to distribute to residents.

“We can’t do this alone. We need your help,” said Elder. “This moment reminds me of the early days of COVID, when our community came together to ensure that no one was hungry. That movement was a pivotal moment for Second Chance Foods. And when a crisis arises, our community and Second Chance Foods rise even higher.”

Second Chance Foods was recently awarded $100,000 in state funding to support the purchase of a cargo van, outdoor walk-in cooler, outdoor walk-in freezer, three reach-in refrigerators, and a reach-in freezer, as part of the state’s ongoing effort to properly manage wasted food, prevent food from needlessly being thrown away, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and feed hungry New Yorkers.

Gov. Kathy Hochul last month announced more than $11 million to support emergency food relief across the state. More than $5 million in Local Emergency Food Relief Equipment Grants were awarded to nearly 100 not-for-profit organizations, including food pantries, soup kitchens, and other programs dedicated to assisting New Yorkers experiencing food insecurity.

In addition, more than $6 million will support a renewed partnership with Feeding New York State and the 10 regional food banks by funding critical staffing and essential operations at food banks and their local partners statewide.

Even Businesses Are Stepping Up

PSK Supermarkets, operator of Foodtown in Cold Spring, has directed its store managers to order and donate $22,000 worth of groceries to local food banks around its stores. In addition, the company has set up displays of “food bags” that shoppers can purchase and which will also be donated to the local food banks.

“There are people that certainly need the SNAP assistance to put food on the table for their family and this is a way that our associates can help them get through this issue,” said Ed Hunt, company vice president. “We are an employee-owned company and our associates have asked to get this set up for our customers during this difficult time.” 

ShopRite and Wakefern Food Corporation are pledging $1.25 million in food and funds to food banks across the region.

Wakefern, the retailer-owned supermarket cooperative with members who own and operate supermarkets across nine states, said the donation will be distributed among regional food banks in the communities where Wakefern supermarkets – such as ShopRite or Carmel – operate.

“Wakefern members represent family-owned businesses and live and work in the communities where their supermarkets operate,” said Sean McMenamin, Wakefern chairman and president of Philadelphia-based McMenamin Family ShopRite. “We know the people who come into our stores – they are friends and neighbors. We’ve watched their kids grow up, celebrated milestones with them, and now, in this challenging moment, we want to help make things a little better for those who are struggling.”