Newburgh bridges November SNAP gap for seniors, future food assistance uncertain
The Newburgh City Council approved $100,000 for vouchers, and directed staff to distribute them right away. Staff went to every unit at Fogarty Apartments Wednesday, screening residents and providing the vouchers.
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The city of Newburgh is trying to keep its residents, especially seniors, from going hungry, now their SNAP benefits might not be coming this month because of the federal government shutdown.
News 12 visited a Fogarty Apartments Wednesday, where senior residents were receiving vouchers to bridge the gap.
Louise Turner might not receive her SNAP payment of about $200 this month.
The Trump administration has been ordered by two judges to at least partially fund the program, but has said it could take months to restart the program and for payments to go out.
Turner was pleased to learn the city is stepping in to provide grocery vouchers worth $150 to the senior SNAP recipients.
She said he Social Security check does not cut it.
"Stuff like that, it doesn't cover everything," Turner said. "Some people might think it does but it doesn't. It's kind of hard, yeah."
The Newburgh City Council approved $100,000 for the vouchers, and directed staff to distribute them right away.
Staff went to every unit at Fogarty Apartments Wednesday, screening residents and providing the vouchers.
Minnie McClinten said she could manage a month — maybe two — without her SNAP benefits.
The $100,000 put up by the city should help about 700 local families for one month.
After that, the future of their food assistance is tenuous.
"I'm glad my city is helping out," McClinten said, "because the way it is now, it's bad, but it's going to get a little rougher."
City staff will visit other senior housing complexes this week offering the vouchers.
Newburgh Mayor Torrance Harvey said at this week's council meeting he wants surrounding municipalities — and the county — to offer similar stop-gaps.
Harvey says he's been inundated with food assistance requests from people who live in bordering communities, but said the city cannot help them because the program is only available to Newburgh residents.
