As a potential disruption to federal food assistance looms, St. Christopher’s Church in Baldwin is preparing to meet an anticipated rise in need at its parish food pantry.
Nearly three million New Yorkers lost access to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits on Nov. 1, as the U.S. Department of Agriculture warned that federal funds may run short. If not resolved, the lapse would affect more than 41 million Americans nationwide. According to reports in the State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, 29,926 SNAP recipients living in New York’s 4th Congressional District, which includes Baldwin, are affected.
In response to the growing crisis, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman last week declared a state of emergency and announced additional emergency funding to combat food insecurity tied to the federal government shutdown.
The county will provide $50,000 per week to both Long Island Cares and Island Harvest until SNAP benefits are restored, Blakeman said, to ensure that no family in Nassau County goes hungry while federal aid is delayed. Approximately 31,450 households in the county currently rely on SNAP benefits.
“With the issues that are going on in Washington, D.C. right now, there are many people who are in jeopardy of not being able to feed themselves and their families,” Blakeman said. “So we are trying to help and supplement the things that a lot of our great not-for-profits are doing here on Long Island.”
Randi Shubin Dresner, president and CEO of Island Harvest, said the emergency funding will help food banks quickly distribute healthy meals across Nassau County.
“Food is a right,” Dresner said. “We need to be able to know that we’re going to be able to have access to a good, healthy meal. And these funds are going to allow us to purchase that kind of food and get it out into the community here in Nassau County really, really quickly.”
Katherine M. Fritz, CEO of Long Island Cares, said the support comes at a critical time.
“This is an important time in our lives on Long Island to make sure that we’re focused on the people…who are struggling every day to make sure that their families have food on their table,” she said.
Gov. Kathy Hochul last week also earmarked $30 million in state funds to help bridge the gap, and Attorney General Letitia James announced New York is joining 24 other states and Washington, D.C., in a lawsuit seeking to use federal contingency funds to continue food assistance programs.
Adding to the efforts, a pair of federal judges issued rulings late last week ordering the U.S. Department of Agriculture to continue funding SNAP benefits during the shutdown using available contingency funds, providing temporary relief for millions of Americans while the broader legal challenges proceed.
At St. Christopher’s, Reverend Johnny Mendonca said staff and volunteers are bracing for an uptick in demand.
“We were aware of what’s happening and have spoken with our pantry and outreach people,” Mendonca said. “Right now, we haven’t seen a big influx of clients, but I’m sure in the coming days it’s going to be bad, because people are already talking about it.
“We are trying our best to stock up our pantry and prepare gift cards and other things,” he continued, “to serve our regular clients and anyone who comes to us for help.”
The pantry, which operates on Tuesdays from 2 to 4 p.m., offers canned goods, fresh produce, bakery items, baby formula, and other essentials. It is staffed by roughly 12 to 16 volunteers working in rotating teams — some who sort donations after weekend Masses, and others who assist clients directly.
In addition to food, the church partners with the St. Vincent de Paul Society to provide limited financial assistance for rent, utilities and other basic needs. Mendonca said the parish maintains a close relationship with Long Island Cares and expects to reach out for additional support if demand spikes.
“We are doing good for now because our pantry is stocked enough,” he said. “But I think this coming week, it will really show.”
Office manager Maria Christ said the church has already received more calls than usual from people worried about what is to come.
“We are here to help,” she said.
The parish encourages residents who wish to contribute to donate nonperishable food items or gift cards, which Mendonca said provide families flexibility to purchase what they need most.
“For me, that is what community is all about — reaching out to share your blessings with others,” Mendonca said. “It gives us joyful hope to see people aware of the needs of others, not self-centered but selfless.”
Community members can contact the parish office at 516-223-0723 or the pantry directly to donate or seek assistance. Updates on expanded hours will be posted on St. Christopher’s website and Facebook page.
