Foodlink Bolsters Emergency Food System

ROCHESTER - Foodlink CEO Julia Tedesco on Friday announced several measures the nonprofit is taking to respond to the growing crisis of thousands of Rochester-area residents losing access to new Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits on Nov. 1. 

Without a resolution to the federal government shutdown, SNAP benefits for the month of November will pause for more than 155,000 residents living in Foodlink’s 10-county service area. Many local residents are seeking answers about where to turn to for food if they cannot rely on SNAP to pay for groceries. Others, meanwhile, would like to support Foodlink’s immediate and long-term response, which likely will last well into 2026 due to eligibility requirements that are forecasted to remove people from SNAP benefits in the coming months.  

“Although the charitable food system cannot fill the sizeable gap created by the loss of SNAP, we have been encouraged by the community’s response in helping us support hundreds of our food pantry and meal programs across the region,” said Julia Tedesco, President & CEO of Foodlink. “We urge anyone experiencing food insecurity to get the assistance they need from one of our many community partners doing this work alongside us to meet the urgent demands of this crisis.” 

Foodlink is bolstering the emergency food system with more than $1.5 million of additional food purchases in November and December alone, a 150% increase from this time last year, and will continue to fundraise to meet the surge in need.  

For those seeking food assistance, here are a few critical resources: 

• FIND FOOD: Foodlink offers a comprehensive “Find Food” page on its website, which lists hundreds of local food pantries, meal programs and Pop-up Pantries to support those in need of emergency food. 

• SNAP CHANGES: New work requirements and eligibility changes are now in effect. SNAP recipients should consult both the NYS OTDA and Monroe County website (or their local county website) for clarification about how new federal legislation may impact their SNAP eligibility in the coming months.  

• CHECK YOUR STATUS: SNAP recipients can also use a new screening tool developed by TogetherNow to determine if new work rules impact their eligibility.  

• BENEFITS QUESTIONS: Foodlink’s team of Benefit Navigators has launched a “SNAP Line” to assist those who need assistance or clarification about these rule changes. Call 585-413-5091 or email snap@foodlinkny.org. 

Visits to Foodlink’s Find Food page this October have tripled when compared to 2024. The spike is particularly dramatic this week, with more visits to the page in the last 4 days, than the previous 26 days combined.  

“Agencies like Open Door Mission are experiencing an unprecedented surge in demand,” said Robert Williams, Chief Operating Officer for the Open Door Mission. “Every day, we’re seeing more families—many for the first time—turn to us in search of food and hope. In this moment of crisis, our partnership with Foodlink is absolutely critical. They are the backbone of the emergency food network, and their support allows us to meet the growing needs of our community. We must come together to strengthen this network and ensure that no one is left hungry.” 

How the public can help: 

• DONATE FUNDS: Foodlink is accepting monetary donations for its Crisis Response Fund — the quickest and most efficient way to help stretch dollars. Foodlink will use funds to purchase more food to support the surge and demand that our network of food pantries and meal programs will see in the coming weeks.  

• DONATE FOOD: Food donations are also accepted. We encourage the public to view our Find Food map to find a local food pantry near you that could use food or fund donations. For those interested in coordinating a larger food drive, information is available on Foodlink’s website. 

• ADVOCATE: As always, we encourage the community to reach out to their elected officials at the federal level to express concern about the loss of SNAP benefits. Community members can also post a video or written testimonial through a local website, Our Voices, Our Power.   

Foodlink continues to fundraise, purchase more food, and make it available to its network of hundreds of food pantries in meal programs throughout its 10-county service area. Food pantries have received grant funding to purchase more food at no cost, and we have worked with our existing “Pop-up Pantry” partners to add food distributions to schedule – particularly in rural areas.  

Key emergency response support has been offered through New York State, as well as community partners such as Wegmans, the United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes, Rochester Area Community Foundation, and the William & Sheila Konar Foundation. In addition, the Wegmans Family Foundation has committed $1 million to support Foodlink’s infrastructure and capacity to serve. 

"Wegmans and Foodlink have been side by side in the local fight against hunger for nearly 50 years — and we know the challenges facing so many of our neighbors at this time." said Deana Percassi, V.P. of Community Engagement & Communications for Wegmans. "Through our annual Check Out Hunger campaign and additional support to help Foodlink and its partners address this crisis head on, Wegmans is committed to 'Feeding it Forward,' supporting our communities and helping them thrive." 

We continue to work with our elected officials to educate the community about impact of the ongoing government shutdown, and the SNAP eligibility changes taking place simultaneously for more than 150,000 residents who rely on SNAP benefits. 

For more information, visit FoodlinkNY.org.