County Executive McMahon Announces $500,000 Investment to Strengthen Food Pantry Infrastructure
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – County Executive McMahon today announced a $500,000 investment to strengthen
infrastructure at nearly 90 local food pantries as thousands of refugee families face the loss of SNAP benefits.
Approximately 9,000 refugees in the county have already lost or will lose benefits by mid-next year,
contributing to increased demand for emergency food support.
County representatives have met extensively with food pantries and the Food Bank of Central New York to determine the most effective response. Pantries identified a clear need for enhanced infrastructure, especially commercial refrigeration, to safely store more perishable foods and meet rising demand.
County Executive Ryan McMahon said, “This is a moment when our community must come together to support families who are facing real hardship.” McMahon continued, “By investing in the infrastructure of our food pantries, we’re making sure they have the tools they need to keep fresh, healthy food available for every family who walks through their doors.”
The announcement took place at the Northeast Community Center, whose pantry serves a predominantly refugee population. Executive Director Brian Fay underscored the urgency of the investment.
“Our pantry is seeing more families than ever before, and many of them are navigating the sudden loss of SNAP benefits,” said Brian Fay, Executive Director of the Northeast Community Center. “This funding will allow us to expand refrigeration and improve our operations so we can keep fresh, healthy foods available every day.”
The Food Bank of Central New York has reported increased availability of perishable foods for distribution, but many pantries lack the refrigeration needed to accept them. To address this, the county is partnering with the Food Bank to administer the grant program.
“As more families turn to their local pantries, we need to make sure those pantries have the tools and equipment to meet that need,” said Karen Belcher, President & CEO of the Food Bank of Central New York. “This investment ensures that fresh foods—eggs, cheese, meat, vegetables, fruits—can safely reach the people who need them most.”
Pantries will complete a brief survey outlining their infrastructure needs. The Food Bank will review each submission, and award grants up to $10,000, with most expected in the $2,500 to $3,500 range. Support for shelving, carts, and other equipment will also be available for pantries that do not require refrigeration.
The Community Foundation of Central New York has been a key partner in assessing community needs. Melanie Littlejohn attended the announcement on behalf of the Foundation.
“Food insecurity affects every corner of our community, and addressing it requires strong partnerships,” said Melanie Littlejohn, President & CEO of the Community Foundation. “We’re proud to work with organizations that are committed to ensuring families have consistent access to nutritious food.”
While the county cannot fully offset the loss of SNAP benefits, this investment will significantly expand the availability of fresh food at local pantries and strengthen the emergency food network.
Refrigeration was overwhelmingly identified as the greatest need across pantries. By working closely with the Food Bank, the county expects cost-effective purchasing and swift installation of new equipment.