Feeding Westchester is among them preparing to offer food assistance at a moment’s notice.
“We’re here for the long haul. Providing support to our neighbors in need,” said Andre Thompson, Feeding Westchester’s Vice President of Impact Programming.
But it won’t be easy. Feeding Westchester was feeding 130,000 people per month on average before COVID-19 began and that has nearly doubled since March when the federal SNAP was reduced.
Now, at almost capacity, the nonprofit is finding a way to welcome new faces.
“We’re seeing just a higher level of need and then with this new emerging situation with asylum seekers and migrants we expect the need to be that much more drastic,” said Thompson.
Other organizations are already on the scene assisting the 40 families at the Ramada Inn in Yonkers.
Neighbors Link is collecting Target, Amazon, Visa/Mastercard, and Uber/Lyft gift cards to help pay for personal items and travel expenses.
Westhab is working with the New York City Department of Homeless Services to ensure all basic needs are met including that three meals are provided each day.