BY: Robert Charles Jowaiszas, Community Editor/Reporter
With SNAP benefits expected to lapse on November 1, thousands of Rockland County residents may face food insecurity. To help meet the growing need, the County of Rockland and all five towns have launched a countywide food drive, collecting non-perishable food items and monetary donations for local pantries.
County Executive Ed Day noted in a press release that “no one in Rockland should have to worry about where their next meal is coming from. Our food drive is a way for the community to step up and make sure families have access to basic necessities, especially as SNAP benefits lapse.”
Every $1 donated helps pantries purchase up to $10 worth of food through the Regional Food Bank, and every can, box, or bag of food makes a difference for a neighbor in need. Drop-off locations include Clarkstown Town Hall, second-floor lobby. Monetary donations can also be made online here.
Hunger Doesn’t Wait
Town officials have emphasized the urgency of the situation. Clarkstown Supervisor George Hoehmann, via a social media post, reminded residents that “we know that hunger doesn’t wait, and neither can we. I encourage all residents to donate what they can—every can and dollar makes a difference for our neighbors.”
Ramapo Supervisor Michael Specht added in a press release, “Food insecurity affects people from all walks of life. This countywide effort shows that when we work together, we can help ensure no family goes hungry this season.”
Meanwhile, Haverstraw Supervisor Howard T. Phillips Jr. stressed the importance of supporting local pantries: “Our local pantries do incredible work every day, and with this drive, we can give them the support they need to continue feeding Rockland residents who are struggling.”
Orangetown Supervisor Teresa Kenny echoed the call for community involvement: “The need is real, and it’s urgent. I urge our community to join in this effort—whether through donations of food or funds, we all have a role to play in fighting hunger here at home.”
Stony Point Supervisor James Monaghan summed it up, saying, “This food drive is an opportunity to show compassion in action. Together, we can ensure that no one in Stony Point or anywhere in Rockland goes without.”
A Brief History of Food Stamps
The concept of government food assistance in the United States dates back to the Great Depression, when programs distributed surplus commodities to families in need. The modern Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), originally called the food stamp program, began in 1964 under President Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty and became a permanent federal program in 1969. Over time, it transitioned from paper stamps to electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards, helping low-income Americans buy groceries efficiently.
In Rockland County, local food pantries began forming in the 1970s and 1980s, often supported by churches and civic organizations. SNAP remains essential for many families, and county initiatives like this food drive help supplement federal aid.
Local Nonprofits Fighting Hunger
Several Rockland organizations provide emergency food assistance year-round:
Rockland Community Against Hunger (RCAH) coordinates 40+ food pantries and meal programs across the county, serving tens of thousands of residents each month.
Catholic Charities Community Services of Rockland operates a food pantry at 78 Hudson Avenue, Haverstraw, offering groceries and fresh produce.
People to People in Nanuet distributes emergency food packages, weekend meals for children, holiday food, and other necessities to nearly 5,000 residents monthly.
These nonprofits exemplify the ongoing local effort to fight hunger, showing how community support and federal programs together can make a tangible difference.
How to Help
Residents are encouraged to drop off non-perishable items at designated locations or make monetary donations online here. Every contribution helps provide immediate relief to neighbors facing food insecurity, reinforcing that in Rockland County, no one has to face hunger alone.