Nassau invests $100K to help food banks amid SNAP uncertainty
Island Harvest leaders say about 184,000 Long Islanders rely on SNAP.
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Nassau County is stepping in to help residents who rely on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits amid uncertainty during the government shutdown.
The county is investing $100,000 into Island Harvest and Long Island Cares. Each will receive $50,000 each week that SNAP benefits are on pause during the government shutdown.
Federal judges ruled the Trump administration must fund the program during the shutdown. However, it remains unclear how long it will take for SNAP recipients to get their November payments.
Island Harvest leaders say about 184,000 Long Islanders rely on SNAP. They say the money will make a difference, but it's not enough.
RELATED: Long Islanders ready to help SNAP recipients if needed
"The real solution here is that the federal government reopens and that SNAP benefits are distributed to the folks who need them most," said Gregory May, of Island Harvest. "What the county executive has done though is provide a lifeline for folks who are losing SNAP access."
Island Harvest and Long Island Cares will team up on Monday to help federal workers who are not getting paid during the shutdown. They'll be holding a food distribution event at Farmingdale State College from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
