Food pantry lines last hours as cuts to SNAP benefits sink in
Many food pantries across the borough are feeling the strain as long lines and few resources cause anxiety in communities.
The federally funded SNAP program that helps people buy food is being frozen starting Nov. 1. City data shows over 40% of residents in the Bronx rely on SNAP benefits, which is the highest percentage of all five boroughs.
Many food pantries across the borough are feeling the strain as long lines and few resources cause anxiety in communities.
The Word of Life International food pantry is struggling to feed the hundreds of Bronx residents who are in need. News 12 visited the line on Thursday, which wrapped around the block. Some people told the News 12 crew that they arrived at 1 a.m. to get a spot in line. The pantry opened at 11 p.m.
"It's hard because you go to all these pantries and a lot of the people that live here, they go out there so early. So then you have to fight and sit and sit in the line for about four hours before they even start," said Anthony Darden, a father of a 3-year-old girl, who was waiting in line for the food pantry.
He told News 12 he has gastritis, and the stomach pains and vomiting from not eating are affecting him greatly. He said he hasn't had a meal in two days.
"You don't want to be 100. By the time you get to... half of the stuff will be gone. So you got to be in the first 50," said Archie More, another man waiting in line for hours.
Many people expressed feelings of depression and anxiety. Some said they don't know how they're going to pay rent and fear they will end up on the street. Others said they were thousands of dollars in debt.
The cuts to SNAP benefits impacts three million New Yorkers, and in response, Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency.
Hochul said her team secured an additional $65 million of emergency funding to help stock food pantries and distribution centers.
The city is also adding $15 million to DSS' CFC food program. Click the link below to access alternative food programs.
