A looming SNAP benefits cutoff prompted New York Gov. Kathy Hochul to declare a statewide food emergency Oct. 30, freeing up $65 million in state funding to help feed millions of low-income New Yorkers at risk of missing meals during the federal government shutdown.

“I believe it’s immoral for individuals and families to have a safety net that they have counted on in their time of need literally ripped away from them while Republicans play political games,” Hochul, a Democrat, said during an appearance in Harlem.

The extra money will bring to $106 million the total amount of funding the state has committed to stock food pantries that deliver meals to 3 million New Yorkers who rely on the federal government Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

The government shutdown threate

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