Apr. 7, 2025 By Shane O’Brien
U.S. Rep. Grace Meng has called on the Department of Homeland Security to restore millions of dollars in funding for food pantries across Queens and New York City.
In a letter to U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, Meng contended that New York City food pantries are no longer receiving the funding they need from FEMA’s Emergency Food and Shelter Program while the agency conducts a review into “all grants to non-governmental organizations.”
Meng said the halt in funding is forcing many pantries across the city to cut their hours or reduce the amount of food that they are serving to community members. Consequently, Meng said, the absence of federal funding means many pantries may no longer be able to serve residents who need help putting food on the table.