LI food pantry pushes Legislature to increase hunger funding
ALBANY — Groups representing the poor and hungry from Buffalo to Long Island lobbied Albany Wednesday to increase state funding for food pantries in the face of reduced federal aid.
The groups that represent more than 3,000 emergency food providers statewide said federal funding that was cut to their organizations was worth 261 million meals since November 2013.
They lobbied legislators to increase state funding by $16.5 million over the $34.5 million Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has proposed in his $154 billion budget proposal.
“This funding will ensure that New Yorkers who are food insecure will have access to more food, support and services sorely needed to move from uncertainty to stability,” said Randi Shubin Dresner, president and CEO of Island Harvest Food Bank on Long Island.
“There is an urgency to address hunger that can’t be ignored,” said Assemb. Marcus Crespo (D-Bronx).
Michael Gormley has worked for Newsday since 2013, covering state government, politics and issues. He has covered Albany since 2001.
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