Meng Calls On Department Of Homeland Security To Restore Funding For Local Food Pantries

Congresswoman Meng precocious visiting nan South Asian Council for Social Services (SACSS) nutrient pantry successful Flushing. Also pictured is Sudha Acharya, nan organization’s Executive Director.

Photo Courtesy of U.S. Rep. Grace Meng.

U.S. Rep. Grace Meng has called connected nan Department of Homeland Security to reconstruct millions of dollars successful backing for nutrient pantries crossed Queens and New York City.

In a missive to U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, Meng contended that New York City nutrient pantries are nary longer receiving nan backing they request from FEMA’s Emergency Food and Shelter Program while nan agency conducts a reappraisal into “all grants to non-governmental organizations.”

Meng said nan halt successful backing is forcing galore pantries crossed nan metropolis to trim their hours aliases trim nan magnitude of nutrient that they are serving to organization members. Consequently, Meng said, nan absence of national backing intends galore pantries whitethorn nary longer beryllium capable to service residents who request thief putting nutrient connected nan table.

“I impulse your section to reconstruct these payments instantly truthful that nutrient pantries tin proceed offering basal services that galore of my constituents and countless individuals passim nan United States trust on,” Meng said successful a missive to Noem connected March 21. “It is simply unacceptable for Americans to spell quiet while waiting for your section to behaviour these alleged reviews.”

In a abstracted connection issued connected April 2, Meng called connected Noem to “immediately” reconstruct backing for pantries.

“Taking nutrient retired of nan mouths of those who trust connected section pantries is unconscionable and unacceptable. It is besides sadistic and reckless. This basal backing needs to beryllium reinstated now, and I dream nan Secretary swiftly restores it aft receiving my letter,” Meng said successful a connection Wednesday.

Meng’s agency described nan Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) arsenic a cardinal national inaugural to guarantee nutrient assistance for individuals and families experiencing, aliases astatine consequence of experiencing, hunger aliases homelessness.

Rev. Benjamin Ytac, Jr., Executive Director of Yeshua Worldwide Ministries New York located successful Middle Village, said nan interruption successful EFSP backing has made it “incredibly difficult” for nan statement to thief neighbors meet their astir basal needs.

“We service thousands of group each period and without america location is nary spot other for them to turn,” Ytac said successful a statement. “We subordinate together pinch our partner organization organizations and telephone connected nan national authorities to reconstruct backing to nan Emergency Food and Shelter Program and let america to proceed supporting our astir susceptible chap New Yorkers and neighbors.”

Sudha Acharya, Executive Director of South Asian Council for Social Services (SACSS) located successful Flushing, said EFSP allows nonprofits to service residents pinch culturally palatable staples by allowing organizations to acquisition nutrient from taste vendors.

In her missive to Noem, Meng besides expressed interest that section nonprofits person received small to nary connection while nan Department of Homeland Security reviews grants to non-governmental organizations.

FEMA has not yet responded to a petition for comment.