Amid major changes to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits on Oct. 1, Queens Assemblymember Khaleel Anderson launched a 45-day food drive to support emergency food providers and food banks across the state.
“No New Yorker should have to worry about where their next meal is coming from,” said Anderson, who chairs the state’s food, farm and nutrition policy task force, in a statement.
As part of the Trump administration’s big bill that was signed into law in 2025, states will have to pay at least 75% of SNAP administrative costs while the federal government pays less beginning on Oct. 1. Additionally, the law changes work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents aged 18 to 64, and families with children aged 14 and older are no longer eligible for an exemption from those work requirements.
In response, Anderson’s office has partnered with Feeding New York State, City Harvest, and the Alliance for a Hunger Free NY to help coordinate with local food banks serving their districts.
Natasha Pernicka, executive director at The Alliance for a Hunger Free New York, said in a statement that a food drive raises awareness now more than ever during these “unprecedented times.”
“This food drive is an opportunity for our offices to come together under the task force, to work alongside our local food banks and pantries, and turn our collective commitment into direct support for families and individuals facing food insecurity across New York,” Anderson continued.
In this year’s state budget, Anderson said, there was $72 million allocated for the Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program (HPNAP), $9 million for the Nutrition Outreach and Education Program (NOEP), and $2 million for Double Up Food Bucks, a program that matches SNAP recipients’ money to help them afford more fruits and vegetables at local farmers markets and grocery stores.
This coming year, he plans to introduce and support bills that help fund nutrition programs, like the Responsible Fast Food and Public Health Act (A10309), which would impose an annual fee on fast-food chains to fund nutrition literacy programming for children and families.
“My colleagues and I will be pressuring state leadership to ensure we do not cut funding and services to SNAP recipients as a result of the federal government’s terrible decision to shift 25% of the program’s administrative costs onto the state,” said Anderson.
“New Yorkers are facing challenges when it comes to feeding their families, and helping them means working together,” said Assemblymember Michaelle Solages in a statement.
To participate, communities can donate canned and nonperishable food items at the district offices of participating assembly members across the state, between Sept. 29 and Nov. 13, 2026.
