'We need everything that we can get.' Fears continue to grow about losing SNAP benefits
About 180,000 Long Islanders could lose their SNAP benefits. Some have relied on SNAP for years and now, they're scared about what's next.
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Fears are growing as about 180,000 Long Islanders could lose their SNAP benefits.
Local organizations are continuing to come together to help.
"We need everything that we can get," says Medford resident Tanya Green.
Some have relied on SNAP for years.
Now, they're scared about what's next.
"I'm 66 now, which I'm still young and fine, I could do stuff but I just don't know if I'll have a job I could even support myself right now," says Medford resident Diane Heuser.
The community has been stepping up and trying to help those who will be affected, including the Cornerstone Evangelistic Temple in Medford.
They gave out hundreds of bags of groceries and clothes on Thursday.
"We've got cereal, we've got vegetables, soup. We have pasta, noodles," says Xavier Hale, pastor of the church.
According to the State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, most SNAP recipients on Long Island are children, elderly and non-elderly disabled.
"Most of these recipients are working and in some cases working more than one job," says Randi Shubin Dresner, president and CEO of Island Harvest.
Island Harvest Food Bank is already ramping up food distributions and supporting local pantry partners.
But with losing $4 million in federal funding over the last few months, they're looking for donations.
"We would have used these funds to purchase additional food so we can get it out into the community," says Shubin Dresner.
People who rely on SNAP say they're grateful for the support.
"I think it's a great thing that they're doing that. It's going to help out the economy and the community," says Medford resident Annette Fernandez.
