Sign up here to receive our Advocacy Alerts in your email inbox!
Read the latest edition of our Justice and Peace Newsletter.
PLEASE JOIN US IN SPEAKING UP FOR SNAP AND TEFAP
The Food Bank has informed us that The Trump Administration has eliminated the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) funding. These funds allowed the Food Bank to offer a variety of food supplies that Catholic Charities of Chemung/Schuyler uses for meals at Elmira Community Kitchen and for groceries available at our Samaritan Center and Schuyler Outreach food pantries (and other area pantries). We are awaiting clarification of the specific food items impacted, but it could include eggs, cheese, chicken, milk, fruit, and more.
In addition to eliminating TEFAP funding, Congress is also gearing up to substantially cut SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps). In New York State, more than 800,000 children benefit from the food purchased by their families using SNAP dollars; 76% of the households assisted by SNAP include a worker earning a low wage, making them income-eligible; 49% of SNAP households are older adults. SNAP dollars stimulate the local economy (millions of SNAP dollars are spent each month across NYS – these stores hire local workers and pay local taxes). SNAP reduces food insecurity and benefits the local community! At a time when food prices are rising and new tariffs may make it harder for Americans to afford basic needs, any cut to SNAP could be devastating. Local governments and private charities are already stretched thin and cannot afford to pick up the tab for federal program cuts.
ACTION NEEDED! Please call our U.S. House Representative, Nick Langworthy – 607-377-3130
Our message:
Hello, my name is (NAME) and I’m a constituent from (TOWN/CITY).
I’m calling to ask Representative Langworthy to oppose any cuts to SNAP and to support restoration of the TEFAP program so that both can continue to serve the people of this Congressional District. SNAP helps more than 2 million New Yorkers and brings real dollars into our communities, supporting local grocers and businesses who hire local residents and contribute to local taxes. At a time when food prices are rising daily and new tariffs may make it harder for Americans to afford basic needs, any cut to SNAP and the elimination of TEFAP could be devastating.
Advocacy Needed: Fund Mental Health Housing Programs
As negotiations finally move forward, we are hearing that we must keep up the pressure if we are to get an adequate inflationary increase included in the final budget. We are urging our members to keep sending e-letters to members of the NYS Legislature & Governor Hochul, telling them to adequately fund mental health housing programs in the 2025/2026 State Budget!
The Governor included a 2.1% Inflationary Increase in her 2025-26 Budget Proposal. This amounts to a cut when compared to the amount the CPI (inflation) has increased during her time in office. The good news is that the Senate and Assembly BOTH included a 7.8% inflationary increase in their budget proposals. We need to keep pushing for the final budget agreement to include the full 7.8% Inflationary Increase!
Please take a moment to send Governor Hochul & NYS legislators an e-letter by using this link. Sending an e-letter is easy to do! Just use this link, enter your information, then hit send! A copy of your letter will then be sent directly to the Governor and legislators.