Anti-hunger advocates rally for more funding

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- One in ten New Yorkers and one in six children are hungry, that's the statistic advocates at the New York State Capitol are asking lawmakers to remember heading into discussions for the 2025 budget.

Groups like Hunger Solutions New York and Feeding New York State joined with lawmakers to ask the state legislature and Governor Kathy Hochul to increase the minimum monthly SNAP benefit to $100 and fully fund the Nutrition Outreach and Education Program.

“Through NOEP, local SNAP assisters across the state raise awareness of SNAP in their community and provide one on one support to help eligible New Yorkers apply for food benefits," Andres Vives, Executive Director for Hunger Solutions New York, said.

They're also calling for fully funded school meals. Several Capital Region districts already offer free school meals and legislators acknowledged progress made last year with $135 Million allocated, but said more needs to be done.

“We have to make sure every single student has access to good breakfast and lunch," State Senator Michelle Hinchey said. "We have to remove the stigma and we have to make sure every single student can learn.” 

Advocates said all of their requests will help anti-hunger programs solve the issue at the source.

“We need to fully stock our food pantries with HPNAP and Nourishing New York," Assembly Member Jessica Gonzales-Rojas said. "We need to ensure we’re fully funding our SNAP assisters and making sure the whole ecosystem that is addressing hunger is fully functioning, fully invested.”