Blog

This week, we welcomed Congressman Josh Riley to the Ithaca High School Community Market, one of our partner School Food Centers, and the Ithaca City School District Nutrition Services facility.  This was an opportunity to see the important work of normalizing food access our partners in K-12 education do every day.

This visit comes at a critical moment for our region and our nation. The House of Representatives recently passed a federal budget bill that includes potential cuts to crucial programs like SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and Medicaid. The bill now moves to the Senate, where the future of these essential programs will be debated. 

Programs like SNAP and Medicaid are the primary of support for many Americans, helping families afford groceries and providing critical health care for lower income citizens. These supports matter more than ever as families navigate rising costs and limited resources. 

Two out of three individuals who use these programs are working. The majority who are not working are children attending school or people with disabilities. This includes thousands of our neighbors in communities across the Southern Tier. 

Rural and urban communities alike are feeling the impact of the affordability crisis and are turning to local food pantries and meal sites to bridge the gap. In 2024, the Food Bank of the Southern Tier received 1.6 million food requests. Over the last year, that number has grown to 1.8 million requests.  

This is why we appreciate Congressman Riley’s visiting us to learn about the impacts of the potential devastating impacts of the proposed cuts. Listening to stories and solutions from local communities helps bring the realities of hunger and hardship into the national conversation. Please consider advocating, volunteering, or making a gift to help fill pantries.