Erie County Council on Thursday scheduled an emergency meeting for Wednesday, Nov. 12 at 6:00 p.m. to consider a proposed $1,000,000 emergency appropriation for Second Harvest Food Bank, the council announced near the end of its Nov. 6 meeting.

The request was described to the council by Councilmember Copeland, who said the county executive held a press conference asking for the emergency appropriation. "The county executive held a press conference, calling for an emergency appropriation of $1,000,000 to be given to Second Harvest," Copeland told the council, warning that the local food system is under mounting pressure. "The problem is so immense, it's $18,000,000 a month," he added, describing the scale of regional need if federal supports remain disrupted.

Why it matters: Council members framed the appropriation as an urgent response to food insecurity tied to SNAP and other service disruptions, but several members urged caution and clearer implementation plans before releasing significant county funds. Councilmember Horton said he hoped more details would be shared before the emergency meeting so the council would not "just give someone a million dollars" without clarity.

Copeland said Second Harvest has been fronting services from its fund balance and that the balance is thinning; he said he has been contacting local philanthropy, businesses and authorities for support and asked residents to donate and organize community support. The council clerk confirmed the emergency meeting date and time at the close of Thursday's session.

Next steps: The emergency meeting is set for Wednesday, Nov. 12 at 6:00 p.m.; Council will receive the formal appropriation ordinance and any supporting materials at or before that session. The council's next regular meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025.