County Executive Ed Day Authorizes $2 Million in Emergency Food Funding Amid Federal SNAP Suspension

On Monday County Executive Ed Day expeditiously signed a resolution, passed by the County Legislature, authorizing $2 million in emergency funding to provide immediate food assistance to Rockland residents affected by the suspension of federal SNAP benefits resulting from the ongoing federal government shutdown.

With the federal lapse expected to leave 19,000 Rockland households, comprised of 54,562 children and adults, without SNAP benefits beginning this week, County Executive Day acted swiftly to ensure that no family, senior, or veteran in Rockland goes hungry.

“This is an emergency, plain and simple,” said County Executive Ed Day. “When Washington fails to act, local government must step up. This funding will make sure that food continues to reach the tables of the Rockland families who need it most.”

This rapid infusion of resources is designed to stabilize the county’s emergency food supply and help meet the unprecedented surge in demand expected following the halt in federal nutrition assistance.

“With food costs already high and household budgets stretched thin, the sudden loss of SNAP benefits will hit our most vulnerable residents first,” Day said. “This $2 million investment ensures Rockland’s food pantries will have the supplies they need to meet that demand immediately. This is about neighbors helping neighbors. Rockland will not allow its residents to go hungry.”

The County of Rockland, and the Towns of Clarkstown, Haverstraw, Orangetown, Ramapo and Stony Point also launched a countywide food drive. Donation bins are available at the following locations:

• Robert L. Yeager Health Center Building A Lobby 50 Sanatorium Road, Pomona
• Allison-Parris County Office Building 11 New Hempstead Rd., New City
• Town of Clarkstown Town Hall 10 Maple Ave., New City
• Town of Haverstraw Town Hall 1 Rosman Road, Garnerville
• Town of Orangetown Town Hall 26 W. Orangeburg Rd., Orangeburg
• Town of Ramapo Town Hall 237 Route 59, Suffern/Airmont
• Town of Stony Point Town Hall 74 East Main Street, Stony Point

Monetary donations are also strongly encouraged. To make a monetary donation click here.

For assistance locating food resources in Rockland County, visit rocklandhunger.org/find-food.