news article
Faith in Action: Helping feed our neighbors in need
October 27, 2025 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
When the federal government shut down on October 1, 2025, it did more than stall legislation—it put millions of Americans at risk. As a result, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that no federal SNAP benefits will be issued on November 1 unless funding is restored.
The impact of this decision will be deeply felt. Thousands of individuals and families who depend on these benefits may soon face the harsh reality of empty plates and uncertain meals. Seniors, adults, and children alike will be affected. In this time of need, churches and community ministries have an opportunity to be a beacon of hope—offering food, compassion, and the assurance that no one is forgotten.
A Call to Compassion
On Friday, October 24, Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez issued a heartfelt call to action, urging United Methodists to respond with compassion and courage as food insecurity deepens across the region. With food pantries already stretched thin and SNAP benefits at risk, Bishop Héctor invites congregations across the Susquehanna and Upper New York Episcopal Area to organize food drives, take special offerings, and partner with local organizations to meet growing needs.
Quoting Jesus’ words in Matthew 25:35—“I was hungry and you gave me food”—Bishop Héctor reminds the Church that this is a time to live out faith in tangible ways. By responding with generosity and grace, United Methodists can help ensure that every neighbor is fed, seen, and loved. Click here to read his full message.
Jordan UMC’s Food Pantry Ministry Grows Amid Rising Need
Jordan United Methodist Church hosts a vital food pantry ministry in partnership with four other churches, all part of the ecumenical Jordan-Elbridge Area Church Board (JEACB). Every Thursday, the pantry provides emergency food boxes to families and individuals, with each household eligible to receive assistance once per month.
Christine Town, Jordan UMC’s Administrative Council and SPRC Chairperson, has noticed a significant increase in demand over the past month. “We’ve distributed anywhere from 9 to 24 boxes a week,” Christine shared. “Lately, we’re consistently seeing close to 20 boxes weekly, and we expect that number to rise if WIC and SNAP benefits stop. Month after month, we see the same faces.”
The pantry is sustained by generous community donations—both food and monetary. Each week, volunteers from the participating churches shop for groceries, carefully stretching every dollar. She says the biggest population they serve are seniors. “We focus on dry goods and shelf-stable items,” Christine explained. “We also provide gift cards to a local grocery store so families can purchase fresh produce, meat, and other essentials.”
Demand Soars to COVID levels
When the federal government shut down, the ripple effects were immediate for ministries like the Emanuel Outreach Center in Newark. The center, which already serves some of the area’s most vulnerable residents, has seen demand for meals soar once again—reaching levels not seen since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. “During COVID, we jumped from serving about 70 meals a day to 150,” said Pastor Della Ludwig. “After things settled, we averaged around 95 to 100 meals a day. But now, with this shutdown, we’re back up—last month alone we served more than 1,500 meals.”
The shutdown has hit particularly hard because it disrupts the flow of federal funds that organizations like Foodlink depend on to stock their shelves. Emanuel Outreach relies on Foodlink to purchase food at a reasonable cost, but those shelves are now depleted. “They aren’t getting any federal money right now,” Pastor Della explained. “That means we can’t buy as much food as we could before.” The result is an increased strain on the church’s resources and volunteers, even as more individuals—many of them unhoused or living without income—turn to Emanuel for their daily meal or a moment of fellowship and warmth.
To meet the growing need, the Outreach Center has expanded its programming. In addition to its free lunch program four days a week and a five-day senior lunch program, Emanuel recently launched “Dinner Tonight,” a grocery-bag initiative designed to help young families bridge the gap when food stamps don’t stretch far enough. Each week, the center distributes about 20 bags filled with pasta, sauce, cereal, and shelf-safe milk—simple ingredients that make the difference between an empty table and a meal shared. “We started that in late August,” Pastor Della said. “People just can’t get what they used to get, and inflation isn’t helping.”
While community partners, local congregations, and businesses have stepped up to donate food and supplies, Pastor Della worries about what will happen if the shutdown continues. The Center already plans to provide 150 Thanksgiving grocery boxes, but she suspects demand could easily double—or more. “Even last year, we had to turn people away,” she said quietly. “By eight in the morning, people were already in line.”
Finding Hope Through It All
Through it all, Pastor Della emphasizes that Emanuel Outreach is not only feeding bodies but tending to spirits. As anxiety, anger, and uncertainty grow in the community, the center offers a space of compassion and listening. “People need to feel heard,” she said. “We remind them that they are loved, that God has a plan, and that they are not invisible.”
A Call to Action
As the need grows, so does the opportunity for others to step in. Pastor Della encourages churches, civic groups, and individuals to consider how they might support or replicate similar efforts in their own communities. “You don’t need a big budget to start,” she said. “You need a heart for people and a willingness to show up.”
Whether it’s donating shelf-stable items, volunteering time, or simply spreading the word, every act of kindness helps sustain the mission. “We’re not just serving meals,” Pastor Della said. “We’re serving dignity, hope, and the reminder that no one is forgotten.”
In a time of uncertainty, Emanuel Outreach Ministries continues to be a beacon of compassion—proving that even in crisis, the church can be a place where love multiplies and community is fed.