Have you heard? Due to the federal government shutdown, SNAP Benefits will not be issued in New York State beginning November 1, 2025.

LSA Food Pantry

SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly known as "food stamps") provides food assistance for nearly 1.8 million low-income New Yorkers including families, people who are aging and people with disabilities. The program helps families and individuals supplement the cost of their diet with nutritious foods.

This means that families who rely on food stamps for nourishing meals will no longer receive support. 

Now more than ever, support from communities who can help is necessary.  Thanksgiving is just around the corner. 

I am a member of the Youth Board at LSA Family and Health Service (LSA), located on 115th Street in East Harlem.  LSA provides support for over 400 families per week at its food pantry. With SNAP being cut, they are running out of food at the end of the pantry line. 

These lines at LSA’s food pantry grow longer and longer by the week. LSA’s family support staff enrolled over 500 people in SNAP this past year. We know the food LSA provides alone is not enough. Families depend on these benefits to make ends meet.

We’re grateful to everyone who partners with us to build a more resilient East Harlem. Families come to LSA because they know they can trust us, and in turn, we trust our community of supporters to stand with us now, in this moment of need.

Here is a link to provide a Thanksgiving meal to an LSA Family and Health Service Family. 

We would appreciate your support during this challenging time for our friends and neighbors.