Due to the suspension of federal funding, several food banks in Queens and New York City are facing financial challenges. Congresswoman Grace Meng recently sent a letter to the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, demanding the immediate release of millions of dollars to ensure uninterrupted food assistance in the community.
The funding in question was originally allocated for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) executed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). However, due to the Department of Homeland Security’s ongoing review of all grants to non-governmental organizations, the funding disbursement has been indefinitely halted, causing several food banks to struggle with operations.
In her letter, Meng stated that the Department is reviewing “all grants to non-government organizations,” yet these organizations have received little to no communication regarding the purpose of the review, timeline, or the suspension of payments. Meanwhile, the food assistance provided by these organizations is based on urgent and ongoing needs. Therefore, she urged the immediate restoration of funding so that food supply stations can continue to provide essential services relied upon by many constituents in the Sixth Congressional District and countless individuals across America. Allowing Americans to go hungry while awaiting reviews is completely unacceptable.
Several community leaders have also called for the restoration of funding. Sudha Acharya, the Executive Director of the South Asian Community Services Council (SACSS), stated, “The EFSP funding allows us the flexibility to procure culturally appropriate food items such as rice, beans, and spices from ethnic food suppliers, which is crucial for serving diverse communities.”
The Emergency Food and Shelter Program is a federal critical assistance program managed by FEMA aimed at supporting organizations nationwide that provide food and shelter. The freezing of funds in this instance has resulted in some organizations scaling back operations or preparing to further reduce services.