Dutchess County Unveils New $1.5M SNAP Relief Strategy

On the eve of the SNAP benefit freeze, a massive announcement in the form of more than $1.5M in support has been announced by one county in the Hudson Valley. While all eyes are on the federal government shutdown, and the subsequent impact on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAP), Dutchess County has a plan in place to help.

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$1.5 Million Dollar Commitment From Dutchess County

On October 31st, just one day before the impending date where many who receive SNAP funding are expecting to receive no assistance, Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino and Legislature Chairman Will Truitt announced that a $1.5 million allocation has been set aside to support local food pantries in assisting Dutchess County residents impacted by loss of SNAP benefits.

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The official press release indicated that the federal shutdown:

threatens to freeze Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for 11,000 households in Dutchess County tomorrow [November 1st]

Moving forward, the county will commit $150,000 a week for local food pantries to purchase and distribute food for up to ten weeks.

'Realistic, Manageable' Allocation For Local Food Pantries

Growing concerns followed by discussions with Renee Fillette-Miccio, Dutchess County Food Security Council Chair and Executive Director of Dutchess Outreach, helped to move along the decision to allocate the $150,000 per week across the ten week span.

I never imagined that our federal government would push us into this crisis. I am thankful to County Executive Serino and Legislature Chairman Truitt for mobilizing these resources that will provide steady support for our local food pantries. This is a smart and effective use of funding that will get food quickly to those impacted by the federal government’s inaction on SNAP. I am thankful that we have the local structure already in place to respond quickly thanks to the work we have been doing with the Dutchess County Coalition of Emergency Food Providers as well as the Food Security Council that County Executive Serino established last year.

Existing county funds will cover the first $150,000 installment, and then the $1.5 million allocation is set as an agenda item for November 6th Legislative meetings. To date, the county has already invested more than $300,000 this year alone, to assist local groups in supporting food insecurity efforts.

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Sue Serino echoed the above sentiments, adding 'hunger is a human issue; no one should go hungry because of politics.' Adding that she's proud to say that 'we in Dutchess County remain committed to standing by our neighbors.'

Resources for locally-based food pantry and meal program resources can be accessed on the Dutchess County SNAP site.