GOVERNOR SPITZER ANNOUNCES $5 MILLION IN FUNDING FOR EMERGENCY FOOD NETWORK
Governor Eliot Spitzer visited the Bowery Mission in New York City today to announce an additional $5 million will be available to help food pantries and soup kitchens, who are facing a decrease in federal funding and private donations, restock their shelves during this holiday season.
(Media-Newswire.com) - Governor Eliot Spitzer visited the Bowery Mission in New York City today to announce an additional $5 million will be available to help food pantries and soup kitchens, who are facing a decrease in federal funding and private donations, restock their shelves during this holiday season.
“We absolutely must continue to support the critical work of New York’s emergency food network, and I am pleased we can be of some assistance during this particularly tough holiday season,” said Governor Spitzer. “These volunteers help ensure that our state’s most vulnerable residents - the indigent, children and seniors - receive the food they need to remain healthy and productive.”
Food banks are facing depleted inventories this holiday season. Part of the unprecedented decline in available food is due to decreased private sector donations related to the economy and a reduction in federal support for The Emergency Food Assistance Program ( TEFAP ). TEFAP funding is being negotiated in Congress as part of the reauthorization of the Farm Bill. However, it is unlikely New York State will receive a restoration of the $10 million previously allocated in TEFAP funding. Because food banks can purchase food in bulk at low rates, every dollar provided to the emergency food network is amplified. One dollar to the emergency food network can purchase and distribute four dollars worth of food.
State Health Commissioner Richard Daines said: “This additional funding will provide food for those New Yorkers who may not be able to feed themselves during this holiday season. Emergency food providers throughout New York State, and around the country, are experiencing unprecedented lows in their food inventories. I would like to thank Governor Spitzer for his commitment to this critical mission.”
John Evers, Executive Director of the Food Bank Association of New York State, said: “With food bank inventories across the state at record lows and the holiday season quickly approaching, the food banks of New York State wholeheartedly applaud Governor Spitzer for stepping up to the plate and providing needed food in desperate times. By directly addressing the issue of hunger and increasing state aid to the food banks Governor Spitzer shows us first hand that he understands the mission of emergency feeding programs and the difficult financial picture we are facing. This $5 million increase by Governor Spitzer will lead the way in helping us feed thousands of hungry people as we approach the tough winter months. The Food Banks of New York State can’t thank him enough for this welcome news.”
Gordon Campbell, President and CEO of United Way of New York City, said: “Governor Spitzer’s announcement today of $5 million additional for HPNAP is a wonderful and most welcome Thanksgiving gift to so many New Yorkers who, but for this program, would not be able to access healthy and nutritious foods. We at United Way are proud of our role in funding emergency food providers, enabling them to make nutritious foods and locally grown fresh produce available in low-income communities throughout the five boroughs.”
The State Budget for the current year already includes an increase of $5 million for emergency food. Coupled with today’s additional $5 million, emergency food providers will be able to maintain services to the hungry. Today’s increase brings the total State and Federal funding available for the Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program ( HPNAP ) that supports the emergency food providers to nearly $34 million, an increase of almost 50 percent over the prior year. Funds announced today will be allocated to the eight food banks across the state and the United Way of New York City to purchase and distribute foods to about 2500 food pantries and soup kitchens throughout the state. Governor Spitzer’s commitment to the private not-for-profit emergency food network will allow them to maintain historical service levels at over 120 million meals provided per year.
Food Bank Organization Counties Covered Award Regional Food Bank of Northeastern NY Albany, Otsego, Saratoga, Ulster, Schenectady, Rensselaer, Columbia, Greene, Dutchess, Essex, Clinton, Hamilton, Putnam, Schoharie, Warren, Franklin, Montgomery, Washington, Delaware, Fulton, Orange, Rockland Sullivan $751,400 Food Bank of Central NY Cayuga, Chenango, Cortland, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison,Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego, St. Lawrence $552,100 Food Bank of NYC Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, Staten Island $744,400 United Way of NYC Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, Staten Island $1,245,600 Food Bank for Westchester, Inc. Westchester $240,100 Food Bank of Western NY Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Niagara $456,100 Catholic Charities Food Bank of the Southern Tier Broome, Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins $220,600 Long Island Cares, Inc. Nassau, Suffolk $387,200 Food Link Allegany, Genesee, Monroe, Livingston, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming, Yates $402,500
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