This month, thousands of families across the country faced an unexpected and devastating challenge — the halt of SNAP benefits. With food prices soaring, the cost of basic groceries like milk, cereal, and bread has climbed to over $25, leaving many households struggling to put food on the table.
But the crisis didn’t start with the benefit cuts. Even before this, rising inflation, job losses, and stagnant wages had pushed families to the brink. Nationally, 13.5% of U.S. households—about 18 million families—reported being food insecure in 2023, with nearly 18% of households with children struggling to afford enough food.
In Westchester County, food insecurity already affected about 7% of households, and in Yonkers, the situation is even more alarming. Some neighborhoods report that two in five households face food insecurity, and over one in ten children live below the poverty line.
Feeding Westchester reports that food banks now serve twice as many residents as they did before the pandemic.
With basic needs already under strain, the halt in SNAP benefits lands at a time when many families are one crisis away from hunger. Food pantries are overwhelmed, nonprofits are stretched thin—and children are suffering the most. Teens and young adults are also feeling the emotional toll, with anxiety, hopelessness, and depression rising sharply.
Community Call to Action: The Joseph Gabriel Foundation Thanksgiving Food Drive
In response to the growing need, The Joseph Gabriel Foundation is stepping up through our Stop and Montor outreach program, to help local youth and families in Yonkers and throughout Westchester County. The Foundation is hosting a Thanksgiving Week Food Drive to ensure no family goes without a meal this holiday season.
The Foundation is seeking volunteers and donations of non-perishable food items such as:
● Canned fruits and vegetables
● Pasta, rice, and cereal
● Shelf-stable milk
● Peanut butter and canned proteins
Event Details
Location: Downtown Yonkers (near the Public Library)
Dates: November 25 & 26
Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Contact: Ms. Angela, Outreach Director — 347-313-6991
How You Can Help
● Donate food or funds to support the drive.
● Volunteer your time to help pack and distribute meals.
● Spread the word across Yonkers to ensure those in need know where to turn for help.
As the cost of living continues to rise, community efforts like the Joseph Gabriel Foundation’s food drive remind us that hope lives in action. Together, we can make sure every child and every family in Yonkers has a reason to give thanks this holiday season.
