The Schenectady County Legislature on Nov. 5 approved a resolution to establish a county Food Insecurity Initiative and appropriate $150,000 from the county fund balance to help residents affected by an interruption in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments.

Chair Gary Hughes called the special meeting, saying the federal government shutdown caused scheduled SNAP benefits to be unpaid in November and that “approximately 21,000 residents of Schenectady County or 12,000 households will not receive SNAP benefits.” He described a package of immediate actions including additional resources for the Department of Social Services (DSS), an ongoing countywide food drive under the Neighbors Helping Neighbors campaign, partnerships with the Schenectady Foundation and local food pantries, and a drive‑through food pantry at SUNY Schenectady.

“The federal government has announced that due to the current government shutdown, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP benefits, are not being paid as scheduled in November,” Hughes said when calling the special meeting. He asked the legislature to “establish a budget line and appropriate $150,000 from county fund balance to help supplement these efforts.”

Legislator Gaddy praised the initiative, saying, “I just wanna applaud you and who everybody who was involved in this resolution. It's a a really big deal what's going on and that we are ready and able to help people.” Another legislator added that “unprecedented times require remarkable actions.”

The clerk conducted a roll call vote. The resolution (filed as Resolution 157‑25 on the agenda) was recorded as carried with 14 votes in favor and one absence. The clerk announced: “Resolution is passed.”

The record of the proposal notes the county cannot replace SNAP benefits in full but intends to mitigate immediate need by partnering with local pantries and nonprofits; the county also scheduled a drive‑through pantry the following evening and sought volunteers to assist.

Clarifying details recorded in the meeting: the estimate of affected residents (about 21,000 people or 12,000 households) was given by the chair; the requested appropriation was $150,000 from county fund balance; partner organizations named in the discussion included the Schenectady Foundation, Schenectady Shares, and Concern for the Hungry; the drive‑through pantry was announced for the SUNY Schenectady parking lot beginning at 5 p.m. with volunteer help requested starting around 2 p.m.

Action recorded

• Resolution 157‑25 — “Implement a Schenectady County food insecurity initiative in response to the ongoing federal government shutdown.” Outcome: approved (14 yes, 0 no, 1 absent). Motion/second: not specified in the transcript. Vote record (as read in the meeting): Legislator Russo — yes; Legislator Pratt — aye; Legislator McGill — yes; Legislator Constantine — yes; Legislator Samuel — yes; Legislator Fazzoni — yes; Legislator Cuomo — yes; Legislator Jasinski — aye; Legislator Osfelovich — absent; Legislator Valano — yes; Legislator Ishmael — aye; Legislator Hess — aye; Legislator Paterne — aye; Legislator Gatta — yes; Legislator Hughes — aye.

Provenance: topic introduced at 00:08:19 (clerk/Chair remarks) and discussion/vote concluded at 00:14:35 (roll call and announcement of passage).