Rockland County Acts Fast: County Executive Ed Day Authorizes $2 Million in Emergency Food Funds as Federal SNAP Benefits Are Suspended Amid Government Shutdown

Rockland County Executive Ed Day has authorized $2 million in emergency food funding following the suspension of federal SNAP benefits caused by the ongoing federal government shutdown. The measure, swiftly approved by the County Legislature, is designed to provide immediate relief for the thousands of Rockland families now facing a sudden lapse in federal food assistance.

With SNAP benefits halted as of November 1, approximately 19,000 Rockland households—totaling more than 54,000 children and adults—have been left without critical support. County Executive Day said the rapid response was essential to ensuring no family in Rockland goes hungry.

“This is an emergency, plain and simple,” said County Executive Ed Day. “When Washington fails to act, local government must step up. This funding will make sure that food continues to reach the tables of the Rockland families who need it most.”

The emergency funds will stabilize the county’s food supply and help local food pantries meet the expected surge in demand.

“With food costs already high and household budgets stretched thin, the sudden loss of SNAP benefits will hit our most vulnerable residents first,” Day said. “This $2 million investment ensures Rockland’s food pantries will have the supplies they need to meet that demand immediately. Rockland will not allow its residents to go hungry.”

Legislative Action

Earlier in the day, the Rockland County Legislature voted unanimously to allocate the $2 million, designating it through the Department of Social Services to local pantries and feeding programs.

Legislature Chairman Jay Hood Jr. emphasized the urgency:

“We need to treat this as an emergency situation—that’s why I called for this special meeting today,” Hood said. “With smart budgeting and a healthy fund balance, this is exactly the kind of rainy day it was meant for.”

Legislator Beth Davidson noted that SNAP benefits have never before been suspended during a shutdown.

“Basic nutrition is a human right,” she said. “I’m grateful to our local nonprofits who are ready to step up like never before to serve our communities.”

Legislator Jesse Malowitz praised the nonprofit sector, saying:

“This shouldn’t be necessary. Our nonprofit leaders are doing more with less every single day, and they deserve our thanks.”

Countywide Food Drive

To supplement the emergency funding, Rockland County and its five towns—Clarkstown, Haverstraw, Orangetown, Ramapo, and Stony Point—have launched a countywide food drive. Donation bins are available at:

• Robert L. Yeager Health Center, Building A Lobby, 50 Sanatorium Rd., Pomona

• Allison-Parris County Office Building, 11 New Hempstead Rd., New City

• Clarkstown Town Hall, 10 Maple Ave., New City

• Haverstraw Town Hall, 1 Rosman Rd., Garnerville

• Orangetown Town Hall, 26 W. Orangeburg Rd., Orangeburg

• Ramapo Town Hall, 237 Route 59, Suffern/Airmont

• Stony Point Town Hall, 74 East Main St., Stony Point

Monetary donations are also being accepted via the United Way of Rockland County at uwrc.org/food.

For anyone seeking food resources, visit rocklandhunger.org/find-food.