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Millions of Americans depend on the Supplemental Nutritional Assistant Program to put food on the table. Nearly 3 million people right here in New York rely on SNAP, 30% of whom are children. There are actual human lives behind each of those numbers, humans who were used as political bargaining chips during the government shutdown by a congressional majority and presidential administration desperate to cut working families off at the knees.

Over the past several weeks, we’ve seen food pantries go bare as families have prepared for the loss of SNAP benefits. Others in our communities have stepped up to try and help fill the gap, building mutual aid systems, holding food drives and establishing “adopt-a-family” programs to double up on grocery shopping for those in need. It’s both a testament to the strength and solidarity of our........

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