Congresswoman Meng not too long ago visiting the South Asian Council for Social Companies (SACSS) meals pantry in Flushing. Additionally pictured is Sudha Acharya, the group’s Government Director.
Photograph Courtesy of U.S. Rep. Grace Meng.
U.S. Rep. Grace Meng has referred to as on the Division of Homeland Safety to revive tens of millions of {dollars} in funding for meals pantries throughout Queens and New York Metropolis.
In a letter to U.S. Secretary of Homeland Safety Kristi Noem, Meng contended that New York Metropolis meals pantries are now not receiving the funding they want from FEMA’s Emergency Meals and Shelter Program whereas the company conducts a evaluate into “all grants to non-governmental organizations.”
Meng mentioned the halt in funding is forcing many pantries throughout town to chop their hours or cut back the quantity of meals that they’re serving to group members. Consequently, Meng mentioned, the absence of federal funding means many pantries could now not be capable to serve residents who need assistance placing meals on the desk.
“I urge your department to restore these payments immediately so that food pantries can continue offering essential services that many of my constituents and countless individuals throughout the United States rely on,” Meng mentioned in a letter to Noem on March 21. “It is simply unacceptable for Americans to go hungry while waiting for your department to conduct these so-called reviews.”
In a separate assertion issued on April 2, Meng referred to as on Noem to “immediately” restore funding for pantries.
“Taking food out of the mouths of those who rely on local pantries is unconscionable and unacceptable. It is also cruel and reckless. This essential funding needs to be reinstated now, and I hope the Secretary swiftly restores it after receiving my letter,” Meng mentioned in a press release Wednesday.
Meng’s workplace described the Emergency Meals and Shelter Program (EFSP) as a key federal initiative to make sure meals help for people and households experiencing, or susceptible to experiencing, starvation or homelessness.
Rev. Benjamin Ytac, Jr., Government Director of Yeshua Worldwide Ministries New York positioned in Center Village, mentioned the interruption in EFSP funding has made it “incredibly difficult” for the group to assist neighbors meet their most simple wants.
“We serve thousands of people every month and without us there is no place else for them to turn,” Ytac mentioned in a press release. “We join together with our partner community organizations and call on the federal government to restore funding to the Emergency Food and Shelter Program and allow us to continue supporting our most vulnerable fellow New Yorkers and neighbors.”
Sudha Acharya, Government Director of South Asian Council for Social Companies (SACSS) positioned in Flushing, mentioned EFSP permits nonprofits to serve residents with culturally palatable staples by permitting organizations to buy meals from ethnic distributors.
In her letter to Noem, Meng additionally expressed concern that native nonprofits have acquired little to no communication whereas the Division of Homeland Safety evaluations grants to non-governmental organizations.
FEMA has not but responded to a request for remark.
