Rockland County Urges Monetary Donations To Food Pantries, Launches Countywide Food Drive

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — With a critical lifeline about to vanish, local leaders are hoping we will help pick up the slack.

From the Rockland County government.

In light of the ongoing federal shutdown expected to cause a lapse in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits on November 1st, the County of Rockland, and the Towns of Clarkstown, Haverstraw, Orangetown, Ramapo and Stony Point are issuing an urgent call to residents who are able to make a monetary donation to local food pantries.

With approximately 19,000 households, comprised of 54,562 children and adults, relying on SNAP benefits, pantries are expecting a wave of need if benefits lapse in November. All donations, money and food, will be provided to Rockland Community Against Hunger, that represents 40+ pantries, which will sort and distribute the resources to pantries with the largest impact from SNAP cuts.

According to the Regional Food Bank, every $1 donated to a local food pantry enables them to purchase $8 to $10 worth of food/4 meals from the Regional Food Bank because of their access to donated or discounted food.

County residents and community minded businesses are encouraged to join us in assisting our neighbors. Food pantry purchasing power can be significantly stronger than retail purchasing power, making monetary donations extremely critical at this time. We urge all Rocklanders to donate money or food as local food pantries will take the brunt of this challenging situation when and if SNAP benefits lapse.

To make a monetary donation, click here.

Rockland Community Against Hunger steering committee will determine how donations are distributed within Rockland based on need & impact.

As food pantries and non-profits prepare for a sharp increase in families seeking assistance, volunteers will also be needed to help sort food donations, prepare packages, assist with distribution, help transport goods, and more.

Sign up to volunteer here.

In addition to urging monetary donations, the County of Rockland is launching a Countywide Food Drive in partnership with all five towns to support SNAP recipients and others facing food insecurity.

Donation bins will be available at the following locations:

• Robert L. Yeager Health Center Building A Lobby 50 Sanatorium Road, Pomona
• Town of Clarkstown Town Hall 10 Maple Ave., New City
• Town of Haverstraw Town Hall 1 Rosman Road, Garnerville
• Town of Orangetown Town Hall 26 W. Orangeburg Rd., Orangeburg
• Town of Ramapo Town Hall 237 Route 59, Suffern/Airmont
• Town of Stony Point Town Hall 74 East Main Street, Stony Point

A list of what items should be donated can be found here.

For assistance locating food resources in Rockland County, visit rocklandhunger.org/find-food.

This press release was produced by the Rockland County governmet. The views expressed here are the author's own.