Warren County allots up to $150K to support food pantries

WARREN COUNTY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — The Warren County Board of Supervisors voted on Friday to allot up to $150,000 to support food pantries throughout the county. The appropriated funding will go toward assisting residents dealing with food insecurity amid the ongoing federal government shutdown and the suspension of benefits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

The funds will be provided in increments of $50,000 through the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York. The money will be drawn from contingency reserves and won’t impact the 2025 budget or tax levy, according to Warren County officials.

“Neither I nor any of my colleagues want anyone who is in need of food in Warren County to go without it. This additional funding that was approved today will be provided to the Regional Food Bank to ensure pantries across Warren County can help residents who need it,” Warren County Board of Supervisors Chairman Kevin Geraghty stated. “We are hearing from our local food pantries that they are seeing a significant increase in demand for food as local federal workers go without paychecks and food benefits are delayed, and we ask that residents consider joining us in supporting their local food pantry with donations of food or money.”

“Our staff met several times this week to try to determine the quickest and most efficient way to assist those who are not receiving SNAP benefits,” Warren County Administrator John Taflan said. “A number of scenarios were discussed, and today’s action by the Board of Supervisors was deemed the most immediate, as it will allow the Regional Food Bank to quickly help folks in Warren County who are in need. I join with Chairman Geraghty in asking residents to pitch in to support their local pantry during this emergency.”

Officials shared that 6,265 people in Warren County rely on SNAP benefits, including over 1,600 children and more than 2,500 residents over age 50. Donations for the ongoing Warren County food drive can be dropped off at the Warren County Municipal Center DMV or the county’s Human Services building, both located at 1340 Route 9 in Queensbury, as well as to the Warren County Department of Public Works building, located at 4028 Route 9 in Warrensburg.