New York food pantries are bracing for a surge with nearly 3 million New Yorkers at risk of losing their SNAP benefits as soon as Saturday. 

Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency Thursday and said the state will not let people on food stamps go hungry due to the federal government shutdown, announcing $65 million in emergency funding in case the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program lapses. 

Food pantries expecting holiday-level lines

In New York City alone, 1.8 million people rely on SNAP. If funding expires Nov. 1, pantries expect holiday-level lines to start forming outside. 

New York Common Pantry in Manhattan is one of the city's busiest food sites, serving thousands of hungry people in need every week. Staff on East 109th Street said Wednesday was their single busiest day ever, serving 585 families, including 80 first-time visitors, who came after finding out their benefits may expire in days.

"There's a lot of anxiety, a lot of trepidation," said Stephen Grimaldi, the pantry's executive director. "Case management saw a 20% increase in a single day in the number of registrations for our service ... It's a cost-of-living crisis that people have. It's not an individual defect ... People just don't make enough money." 

West Side Campaign Against Hunger in Washington Heights is also preparing for a surge in people seeking help. The large food distribution center is one of several responsible for feeding more than 110,000 New Yorkers. 

"Our concerns are not about us, it's about our community members," CEO and Executive Director Greg Silverman said. "There's only so much we can do from the charity sector. I'm incredibly concerned with each and every customer that we're fortunate to serve, because they're the people that are truly on the front lines, they're feeling it in their bellies." 

"The pantries are going to be ransacked"

New York Common Pantry said it is accepting food and funds donations, since the need is so high. 

"We will take anything that's not expired and that is not in glass jars. The families are in great need at this point in time," volunteer Mary Vachris said.

People at the pantry on Thursday said they're worried about how they'll feed their families if the benefits run out. 

"I'm living on one check, so it's hard. It's not easy, I'm raising three girls," Janet Santiago said. 

"It'll be hard. You know the pantries are going to be ransacked with people," said Sonia Rios. 

Experts say consumers can stretch their meals by adding beans and grains to meat dishes, repurposing leftovers and eliminating waste by freezing extra portions. 

"You have to really budget your stamps and everything if you want it to last a whole month," Lillian Figueroa said. 

Hochul announces emergency funding

Hochul's emergency state funding, meanwhile, includes $40 million for the Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program, which partners with more than 2,700 emergency food providers. It also sends $25 million to fund Nourish New York, which ships surplus farm products like milk, apples and cheese to food banks and pantries. 

The governor also urged schools and after-school programs to send students home with extra food, like leftover sandwiches, if their SNAP benefits get cut off. 

But it does not come close to the $650 million in federal funds New York typically receives each month. 

Governor urges Congress to extend SNAP benefits

The Trump administration previously said it will not tap into $5 billion in emergency funds to keep SNAP payments flowing. In response, New York and 23 other states sued the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which administers SNAP, to force the release of the contingency funds. 

"They said there's nothing we can do. I'm not buying that because, clearly, that means they don't care about 42 million Americans who'll be hungry now, even through Thanksgiving, possibly. Small business owners, farmers," Hochul said. "My message to Republicans in Washington: Get back to work, restore the health care premiums, turn the federal government back on and start feeding hungry Americans once again." 

The Legal Aid Society said Hochul's plan is a good start, but not enough. They're calling on the state to spend $650 million of its own money to fully cover November food stamps.   

Mount Vernon's mayor this week also warned thousands in her city stand to lose access to food stamps if Congress fails to act. 

"This situation will have a significant impact on families and their ability to be able to take care of themselves, feed their children," Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard said Monday. 

Major impact on retailers

The potential freezing of SNAP benefits will also have a major impact on retailers. 

Jose Filipe, the owner of New Rochelle Farms grocery store, says food stamps account for more than 25% of his sales. He says business is already down as customers dial back spending and try to keep money on their EBT cards in case it is not replenished. 

"The lack of the SNAP funds is definitely impacting. We've had to cut back on some employees, unfortunately," Filipe said. 

He said customers are being very careful with their spending, stocking up of goods such as pasta and tuna. 

Studies show big retailers will also be affected.

Walmart and Costco are both among the top five outlets for SNAP spending. According to the Food Research and Action Center, SNAP-related purchases in 2020 contributed to more than $1 billion federal tax revenues and nearly $975 million in state and local tax revenues.   

Unused SNAP benefits from October will remain in recipients' accounts and can still be used with EBT cards if the program lapses.