Sen. Gillibrand visits LIC Food pantry to announced new legislation

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand visited a food pantry in Long Island City Monday. Eagle photo by Rachel Vick

By Rachel Vick

U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand visited a Long Island City food pantry Wednesday to announce legislation that would provide resources to families affected by food insecurity nationwide. 

Gillibrand talked with people waiting for donated items outside the Evangel Food Pantry on Crescent Avenue before announcing the proposed measure.

“Food banks have gone above and beyond and continue to work hard to meet demand,” she said. “Government needs to do more for parents who lost jobs through no fault of their own.”

Gillibrand’s bill, the Ensuring Nutrition for America’s Student’s Act, would extend the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer program, which set to expire at the end of September. The legislation would also expand eligibility. 

Gillibrand was joined by Acting Borough President Sharon Lee and Leslie Gordon, president and CEO of Food Bank for New York City.

Widespread unemployment, reduced hours and school and daycare closures have exacerbated  issues affecting New Yorkers in need who struggled to make ends meet or access food.

Throughout the COVID crisis, the number of people visiting the pantry, run by the organization 9 Million Reasons, has continued to increase, said Pastor Andrew Marko. 

“We’ve been giving it all we have,” Marko said. “You can always count on New Yorkers in a crisis — we may be a little rough around the edges but we band together. “

The pantry distributes food to the community from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and half days on Saturday.