Fight food insecurity with FEMA funds for undocumented immigrants: Stringer and Queens groups

Advocates are calling on Mayor de Blasio to use federal funds to fight food insecurity in communities where many residents were forced to rely on food pantries. Eagle file photo by Steven Vago

By Rachel Vick

Comptroller Scott Stringer and a coalition of Queens community groups are calling on Mayor Bill de Blasio to allocate $25 million in FEMA reimbursements to fund emergency food programs for undocumented New Yorkers.

An emergency food program would help excluded workers and community members facing food insecurity who have been unable to access federally-funded programs like SNAP to help them through pandemic hardship, Stringer and dozens of organizations said in a letter Wednesday

“People of color and immigrant New Yorkers have been hit hardest with the highest rates of COVID infections, illness and fatalities, and job and income loss, all of which have contributed to our current crisis of food insecurity,” they wrote.  “But within these communities, undocumented New Yorkers are uniquely vulnerable when tragedy strikes.”

The money would come from a portion of the $1 billion in FEMA reimbursements that New York City is set to receive after the Biden Administration said the federal government would cover 100 percent of New York City and state’s pandemic-related food costs.

“It’s unconscionable that anyone should go hungry in one of the wealthiest cities in the world, especially in the middle of a public health crisis,” said Stringer, a candidate for New York City mayor.

The newly available funding “creates an opportunity to address food insecurity among New Yorkers” who have had to rely on food pantries or mutual aid networks that were not always enough, he and advocates said,

The letter was signed by dozens of community organizations and faith leaders across New York City, including several based in Queens — home to New York City’s largest population of undocumented immigrants. 

Signatories from the borough include New Immigrant Community Empowerment, Adhikaar, Chhaya CDC, MinKwon Center for Community Action, Drum-Desis Rising Up and Moving, Queens Climate Project and the  South Queens Womens March.

They joined hundreds of advocates, elected officials and excluded workers who have called for increased financial support for the forgotten frontline workers; some of whom have been on a hunger strike for over a week.

“With record-high unemployment and no federal assistance, immigrants are experiencing hunger of unprecedented proportions,” said Manuel Castro, executive director of NICE. ”These frontline essential workers put themselves at risk every day, yet remain invisible and without support to stay afloat.”

“The need is only growing,” he added.