Sheepshead Bay Kosher Food Pantry stepping up resources amid government shutdown
Many New Yorkers using the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, or SNAP, have been living with uncertainty.
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Hannah Kosher Foods in Sheepshead Bay says it's stepping up resources amid the government shutdown.
Many New Yorkers using the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, or SNAP, have been living with uncertainty. But on Thursday, a court ruling is calling on the government to release full November SNAP benefits to states by Friday.
Many government workers who are not getting paychecks amid the shutdown say they are still uncertain about putting food on the table. Aharon Zarzar, program director of Hannah Kosher Foods, says many people in his community are worried.
“I get 100 phone calls a day of people asking, 'What can I do to feed my family?'" said Zarzar.
Because of that, he says the pantry's partners are helping supply them to go from opening once a month to three as needed in the near future.
Organizers say one pantry can feed 750 to 1000 families. Local advocate Amber Adler says this pantry helps to fill a specific need.
“The organization gives food to everyone of all backgrounds, but it’s specifically Kosher food, and the Kosher food pantry resources are limited overall," said Adler.
Organizers say the next pantry will be on Nov. 20.
