The government shutdown had New Yorkers who depend on food assistance, like SNAP, checking their EBT cards as they experienced funding delays.

For some public housing residents at Harborview Terrace in Hell’s Kitchen, a food pantry crammed in a small space was a lifeline.

What You Need To Know

  • For some public housing residents at Harborview Terrace in Hell’s Kitchen, a food pantry crammed in a small space was a lifeline

  • Tenant Association President Maria Guzman has lived in Haborview for nearly half a century and says the government shutdown worsened an already difficult situation for residents struggling to feed their families

  • Guzman runs a food pantry at Harborview, with food donations coming from the nonprofit Social Service Board with the New York Society for Ethical Culture

  • The once-a-month food pantry is ramping up to twice-a-month now to meet needs
  • Some longtime Harborview residents who spoke to NY1, including those raising grandchildren, say they feel happy and blessed to have their EBT cards filled again after the state stepped in when the government remained closed

“The little bit of food that they give is very helpful. It’s a blessing,” Monserrate Sanchez, who has been living at Harborview for more than two decades, said.

Around 1.8 million New Yorkers rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, including Sanchez.

“I’m not a rich person, and I depend on that, you know what I mean, that’s really helpful,” said Sanchez, who called the last few weeks, “stressing.”

Sanchez usually receives around $300 every month from the federal government. Earlier this week, her EBT card was filled thanks to New York State stepping in when the government remained closed.

“Oh yeah! Yeah, I was able to do some [grocery] shopping,” she said when asked by NY1 if she’s happy to have her EBT funding.

Another happy resident is Ruby Anderson, also a SNAP recipient, who is raising her granddaughter. She’s been living at Harborview for nearly three decades.

“I’m just praying that they don’t change it again, but we finally got it three days ago,” referring to the EBT funding she received through the state.

Tenant Association President Maria Guzman has lived in Haborview Terrace for nearly half a century and runs the food pantry. She says the government shutdown worsened an already difficult situation for residents who were struggling to feed their families.

“People depend on that card, and the amount of money they put in that card, to feed their families. So there was a panic,” Guzman said. “And people were wondering, ‘so where am I gonna get my food from?’”

The food donations come from the nonprofit Social Service Board with the New York Society for Ethical Culture. They are ramping up what had been a once-a-month food pantry.

“We’re going to do it twice a month instead of once a month because we realize the enormous need that there is for food in this community,” Guzman said.

She believes that withholding SNAP benefits from low-income New Yorkers is cruel.

“What went on with SNAP, I think it’s a crime,” she said. “It breaks my heart. We do what we can.”

Another resident at the food pantry, Donna Malone, says the last few weeks have been “very, very stressful.” She’s grateful to finally have full funding on her EBT card.

“I was blessed to get the full amount,” Malone said.

Malone, who has been living at Harborview for more than four decades, has been raising her three grandchildren — ages 10, 11 and 14.

“This is how I get help to take care of them,” she said, referring to her SNAP benefits. “I get money myself, but I just don’t have enough to take care of them — and you know, I thank God for it even though it’s not enough, it’s still something and I appreciate it,” Malone said.

The Social Service Board says it relies on an endowment, donations from community members and food drives from nearby buildings to meet the needs of public housing residents at Harborview Terrace and Amsterdam Addition.

The nonprofit is meeting an increasing need by buying more food. In the case of Harborview — going from 60 food bags to 75 food bags at each food pantry event.