New York State is making $10 million available to food banks and emergency food providers through a new capital grant program designed to expand food assistance infrastructure.
Gov. Kathy Hochul said the New York Providing Local Access to Essential Sustenance (NY PLATES) program will support facility upgrades, cold-storage equipment and transportation assets to help organizations serve more residents facing food insecurity.
“Food banks and pantries across New York are working around the clock to make sure no family goes hungry, and they deserve the facilities and equipment to do that work effectively,” Hochul said in a news release about the grant program.
The program comes at a time when one in nine Long Islanders grapple with food insecurity, according to Long Island Cares—The Harry Chapin Regional Food Bank. The food bank reports that there are 313,800 people who are food insecure, 71,500 of them children. Shifts in the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program could put more people at risk of further food insecurity, according to published reports.
“With NY PLATES, we are making a direct investment in the infrastructure of hunger relief – expanding capacity, modernizing operation, and standing up for New Yorkers at a time when the federal government is turning its back on critical nutrition programs. This funding will help ensure that no community is left behind,” Hochul said.
The program will provide capital funding for facility construction and renovations, infrastructure upgrades, refrigeration equipment and food transport vehicles.
Requests for applications and opportunities to ask questions about the process are available here and must be submitted by 3 p.m. on June 26. Applications for the program open July 8 and close Aug. 20. Grant awards are expected to be announced after Oct. 20, with proposals evaluated based on need, impact and project viability. Nonprofit applicants must be prequalified through New York’s Statewide Financial System before applying.
A webinar video will be posted online on June 19, and will review the application process.
Adina Genn
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