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Call for USDA to channel all possible federal resources to New York City, Hudson Valley, Westchester and Long Island.

Editor's Note: The following was provided by Senators Schumer and Gillibrand.

SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND CALL FOR EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE FOR STRUGGLING NEW YORKERS REELING FROM HURRICANE SANDY

Millions Of New Yorkers Going Without Food, Shelter – Doubling Pressure On Food Pantries

Senators: Send Emergency Food Assistance Now

Washington, D.C. – As Hurricane Sandy leaves millions of New Yorkers without shelter or access to food, including those who were already struggling to make ends meet, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand are calling on the USDA to implement emergency food resources.

Specifically, the Senators are calling for approval for a mass Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) reimbursement for recipients in the impacted counties as well as approval to implement a Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) as soon as possible. The Senators are also asking the USDA to channel all possible federal resources through the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) to New Yorkers in need, particularly in New York City, the Hudson Valley, Westchester and Long Island that took the worst of the storm. These steps will help New Yorkers to cover costs of purchased food that was lost to Hurricane Sandy, and to waive the unprepared food requirement for SNAP purchases.

“Hurricane Sandy has devastated the lives and homes of millions of New Yorkers, and it is critical that emergency food assistance is provided to those left in its wake,” said Schumer. “We are urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide critical support to New York food pantries, as well as to individuals that rely on such assistance to feed their families during these difficult times.”

http://tarrytown.patch.com/articles/senators-send-emergency-food-assistance-now