Page 3 - qt edition #45

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2025 THE QUEENS TIMES PAGE 3

Mayor Adams Announces Emergency Response To Prepare Catholic Charities Brooklyn And
For Pause In SNAP Funding For 1.8 Million New Yorkers Queens Launches Emergency
During Federal Government Shutdown Response Program For Furloughed

City Adds $15 Million in Emer- Adams. “The federal government exploring every option available Federal Workers And Families
gency Funding to Community shutdown is threatening to cut ac- to provide relief to New Yorkers Losing SNAP Benefits
Food Connection Program, cess to food for 1.8 million New in need.”
Supplementing Existing City- Yorkers who rely on SNAP to “Access to nutritious food is es- Catholic Charities Brook- formation, referrals, and access
Funded Food Programs for New feed their families. It’s time to put sential to your health,” said NYC lyn and Queens (CCBQ) has to case managers and over 160
Yorkers in Need political differences aside and end Health + Hospitals President and launched an emergency response programs and services.
this shutdown. In the meantime, CEO Mitchell Katz, MD. “Diag- for people affected by the govern- • Mental Health: Support is
SNAP Costs $420 Million a New York City already allocates noses like type 2 diabetes or high ment shutdown. Anyone in need available through CCBQ’s mental
Month to Support 1.8 Million approximately $800 million for blood pressure require nutritious can access food, financial help, health clinics for those experienc-
New Yorkers, Including 540,000 food services across our different foods without too much sugar or mental health support, and case ing stress or anxiety related to the
Children and 540,000 Older agencies, and we are proud to step salt to keep our patients out of the management. These services shutdown.
Adults up with an additional $15 million hospital. We are deeply grateful to are for those impacted by the From January to Septem-
in emergency support for our food Mayor Adams and our colleagues government furlough, the loss of ber 2025, CCBQ’s food pan-
City Deploys Interagency Re- pantries and providers who are on- across city government for their SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition tries served more than 450,000
sponse and Targeted Outreach the-ground making sure families commitment to fresh, healthy food Assistance Program) benefits people and distributed over 4
Efforts to Connect SNAP Re- in need are fed during this time. for New Yorkers.” on November 1, 2025, or similar million meals across Brooklyn
cipients to Alternative Food Pro- We are activating all of our social “The federal government is challenges. and Queens. “Our pantries are
grams, Resources, and Benefits services agencies to ensure they deliberately creating a crisis of “No family should have to already serving thousands each
are prepared to contribute where fear and hunger, continuing their choose between paying rent and week, and we are ready to ex-
New York City Already Allocated they can, and we urge our philan- cruel denial of vital resources that putting food on the table,” said pand operations,” said Debbie
$820 Million on Food Programs thropic partners, faith leaders, and keep people nourished, and local Rev. Msgr. Alfred LoPinto, Presi- Hampson, Senior Director of
This Fiscal Year community members to contribute businesses and farms alive,” said dent and CEO of Catholic Chari- Community and Mobile Outreach
even more.” MOFP Executive Director Kate ties Brooklyn and Queens. “We Services. “We have the infra-
Over Course of Adams Admin- “In the absence of federal action, MacKenzie. “While this $15 mil- have mobilized our network of structure and commitment to
istration, City Has Doubled our city is stepping up to ensure lion will provide much needed food pantries and social services ensure no one in our community
Funding for Community Food continued support for the nearly food resources to the essential to make sure anyone struggling goes hungry.”
Connection Program, Doubling one in five New Yorkers who rely food pantry network and the mil- during the shutdown can access Anyone struggling during the
Amount of Food Distributed in on SNAP benefits,” said Deputy lions of meals they will provide, emergency support right away.” government shutdown can access
a Single Fiscal Year with More Mayor for Health and Human that network is already serving The following emergency help in the following ways:
Than 47 Million Pounds of Food Services Suzanne Miles-Gustave. persistently high numbers of services are now available to • Visit any of CCBQ’s 60 food
Distributed in Fiscal Year 2025 “This is a moment for local, state, people in need throughout the anyone impacted by the govern- pantry locations, for a list visit:
philanthropic, corporate, and faith city. SNAP is one of the most ment shutdown: www.ccbq.org/service/food-
City Calls on All Key Stakehold- communities to unite in the face of effective tools to fight hunger. • Food Pantries: All 60 pantry pantry-network/
ers to Come Together to Ensure federal inaction and provide the The federal government must act locations in Brooklyn and Queens • Call the Call Center at 718-
No New Yorker Goes Hungry supports individuals and families immediately to continue funding are open to anyone affected. No 722-6001
need to survive and thrive. New these benefits.” appointment or documentation is • Visit www.ccbq.org for a com-
New York City Mayor Eric York City will always lead in times “This administration’s com- needed to get food. Pantries now plete list of services and locations
Adams has announced $15 mil- like these, and we will continue to mitment to older adults leaves have longer hours and can serve • No documentation is needed
lion in emergency funding for address the impacts of the federal an incredible legacy supporting more people to meet increased for immediate food assistance.
food assistance coupled with an shutdown as they arise.” older New Yorkers, and today’s need. Restrictions may apply to those
all-hands-on-deck response to pre- “As it stands, nearly 1.8 mil- announcement only adds to it,” • Financial Assistance: Case- seeking financial assistance.
pare for the unprecedented food lion New Yorkers will not receive said NYC Aging Commissioner workers and benefit coordinators Community members can help
emergency created by the ongoing their SNAP benefits in November Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez. “We help families access emergency by donating food, contributing
federal government shutdown. because the federal government have addressed financial insecu- funds. Emergency grants are financially, or volunteering. To
As of November 1, nearly 1.8 would rather use the threat of rity while implementing policies available for utility and rent as- donate or volunteer, visit www.
million New York City residents widespread hunger to advance and procedures to help them age sistance on a case-by-case basis. ccbq.org. Note to editors: In-
who rely on the Supplemental their callous political program in place. But since the news that • Call Center: Call 718-722- terview opportunities available
Nutrition Assistance Program than actually support hungry SNAP will be paused, older adults 6001 to speak with staff for in- upon request.
(SNAP) to put food on the table Americans,” said DSS Commis- have been terrified of what it may
will not receive the federally- sioner Molly Wasow Park. “We mean for them and their families. Heritage Museum of Epirus
funded benefits to which they are will not stand by as the federal Over $1.1 billion of SNAP benefits Welcomes Students For Hands-On
entitled. The U.S. Department of government abdicates its most will be lost by approximately
Agriculture (USDA) has not issued basic responsibilities and endan- 400,000 New York City older Learning Experiences
any contingency funds to provide gers our neighbors. We will use adults who currently receive them,
for this critical lifeline during the every tool available to mitigate and this announcement relieves traditions. Their extended visit
protracted shutdown. the impacts of this needlessly that stress. I encourage older New culminated in an inspiring dis-
As of today, $420 million in cruel decision, which includes the Yorkers to call Aging Connect at cussion on the courage and re-
federal funding provides monthly provision of $15 million in new 212-AGING-NYC for referrals silience of the women of Epirus
SNAP benefits to New York- emergency funding to immedi- and more information, or visit an during the Ottoman occupation
ers in need, including 540,000 ately support our robust network older adult center to receive a meal and World War II.
children and more than 540,000 of food pantries and soup kitchens. and support signing up for other Founded under the auspices
older adults. The New York City But these efforts cannot fill the programs you may qualify for.” of the Society of Epirotes Ana-
Department of Social Services massive void that a lapse in SNAP On top of the $15 million an- genesis and its Ladies Auxil-
(DSS), the Mayor’s Office of Food benefits would create. The federal nounced today to strengthen the iary “Souliotissai,” the Heritage
Policy (MOFP), and all social ser- government must take immediate safety net for food-insecure New Museum of Epirus is the only
vices agencies are working in close action to fund SNAP so the 42 mil- Yorkers, the city has allocated museum in New York City dedi-
collaboration to connect impacted lion Americans who rely on these more than $820 million in this cated exclusively to preserving
New Yorkers to critical resources benefits can continue to put food fiscal year for food services pro- Greek heritage. Established in
and shore up the existing safety on their tables.” grams. This includes: 2003 and beautifully renovated
net to provide for anticipated “As the federal government • $627 million for New York Pub- in 2022, the Museum continues
increases in need as the city uses threatens to deny nearly 1.8 mil- lic Schools food programming. to celebrate the rich traditions,
every tool at its disposal to ensure lion New Yorkers their SNAP ben- • $70.6 million for NYC Aging history, and artistry of Epirus
that no New Yorker goes hungry efits and create a hunger crisis so home delivery meal program for The Heritage Museum of Epi- through its collection and cul-
during this crisis. The city stands close to Thanksgiving, we are col- older adults. rus in Astoria opened its doors tural programs.
ready to support New Yorkers lectively working around the clock • $58.6 million for DSS Com- this week to students from pa- “Our goal has always been
while working with a coalition to ensure that families have the munity Food Connection (CFC). rochial schools across the region for this Museum to serve as a
of key stakeholders — including resources they need to get through • $41.8 million for NYC Ag- as part of its newly expanded living resource for the Hellenic
the philanthropic community, the this difficult time,” said New York ing older adult center congregate educational programming. community of New York,” said
non-profit sector, faith leaders, City Human Resources Adminis- meals. On Tuesday, first and second Chris Pantazis, President of
and governmental partners — to tration (HRA) Administrator Scott • $10 million for the New York graders from A. Fantis School in the Anagenesis Society. “We’re
advocate for urgent federal action. French. “This continuous support City Department of Health and Brooklyn discovered the vibrant thrilled to welcome young visi-
Affected New Yorkers should visit includes communicating to all Mental Hygiene Groceries to Go traditional costumes of Epirus, tors who can see, touch, and
the Mayor’s Office of Food Policy SNAP recipients the presence program. exploring how color, fabric, experience the stories of Epirus
website to learn more. of expanded CFC-funded food • $8.5 million for food pantry and design reflect the region’s firsthand.”
“As a working-class mayor pantries and community kitchens funding administered by the New identity. The following day, sev- Schools and community
who grew up in a family living on in their neighborhoods and reach- York City Department of Youth enth graders from the William organizations interested in
the edge of homelessness and that ing out to Medicaid members to and Community Development Spyropoulos School in Flushing scheduling a guided educational
relied on government assistance, connect them to life-sustaining (DYCD). took a deeper dive into Epirote visit are encouraged to contact
I will always fight for our most food services. With no federal life by examining how climate epirusmuseumastoria@gmail.
vulnerable residents,” said Mayor assistance on the horizon, we are (Continued on page 4) and geography affect cultural com for more information.