FOOD
Food pantry requests are entirely online. Follow this link for information and request form:
Congress Passes COVID Relief Package Including Needed Nutrition Assistance
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 passed by Congress on December 21 provides funding for needed nutrition assistance that will go a long way toward addressing the rising hunger crisis associated with the pandemic and economic downturn. While it falls short of responding to the full need in communities across New York, this bill will provide immediate relief in the following ways:
SNAP Investments
- Boosts SNAP benefits by 15 percent for six months (through June 30, 2021) for all SNAP participants.
- Excludes federal unemployment compensation (extra $300 per month) from being counted as income or a resource for the purposes of calculating SNAP benefits and eligibility.
- Provides college students access to SNAP by waiving requirements that apply only to students and giving them access to SNAP similar to impacted workers with reduced work hours due to COVID.
- Invests $5 million to add additional retailers to online SNAP, including farmers markets and direct to consumer sales.
- Provides administrative funds to support states to keep SNAP benefits flowing to needy households.
Other Critical Nutrition Assistance Investments
- Simplifies the ability to issue Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) benefits to children under six-years-old, a program offering a lifeline that fills nutrition needs when child care is closed due to COVID-19, and gives states some additional flexibilities to support the distribution of P-EBT benefits to school-age children.
- Provides emergency funding to support the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) providers and sponsors, as well as School Nutrition Programs, by replacing 55 percent of the total reimbursement funding lost for each claiming month from April 2020 to June 2020 plus half of March 2020.
- Establishes a task force to support online delivery systems for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children.
- Provides funding for Older Americans Act Nutrition Programs, including congregate and home-delivered meals, and extends waivers providing flexibility in Older Americans Act nutrition services.
- Provides additional funding for the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program.
Hunger Solutions New York is deeply grateful to Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) for his leadership in these negotiations, and to the members of the New York Congressional delegation who continuously supported increased nutrition assistance relief. We are committed to working with our national partners and you to ensure that the new Congress and the next administration pass a longer-term and more robust package in the new year. This new package must include the full range of economic relief necessary to alleviate hunger and hardship for millions of families across our nation.
For more details see this Summary of the Nutrition Provisions of the bill from Feeding America, and the media statement from the Food Research and Action Center.
Message from former Director: Rev. Dianna Smith
I have heard recently that some wonder why we need an on-campus food pantry. Today (Oct 23, 2019) between the hours of 1-4 over 60 students visited the food pantry.
CLOTHES: Students may go to Twice Blessed
92 Huguenot Street, at corner of Broadhead, New Paltz, behind Salvation Army, 3 blocks from SUNY NP campus
Hours: Wednesday and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
DONATIONS – check Facebook Twice Blessed Boutique to be sure they are accepting.
Vouchers provided for students & employees in need. Email facultycenter@newpaltz.edu for info and vouchers or ask for Wendy Leone when you are there.
SHELTER – There is no shelter in New Paltz. Students may be referred to services in Kingston via Ulstercorps
When students encounter unpredictable financial hardship, such as an accident, illness, natural disaster or other unforeseen events, their success as a student is threatened. The new Student Crisis Fund was developed to better respond to our students’ needs in these situations and provide one-time grants. Average awards range from $100-$300, with a maximum of $500 for extreme situations. In the event of a qualifying emergency, funds can be used toward essential academic needs (books and supplies), replacement of lost or damaged items, basic needs such as utilities or childcare, short-term housing or transportation.
Unlike other emergency funds, the Student Crisis Fund does not assist with tuition or fees, on-campus room and board charges or food. Join us in supporting any–or all–of our existing emergency programs and help us assist our students when they need it the most.
See additional funding opportunities on the Student Affairs site.
