The holidays are a time of year for many of us to gather with friends and family in a meaningful way. It is also an opportunity to reflect and appreciate all that we have. As we prepare to dig into our Thanksgiving turkey and other holiday feasts, it is important to remember that there are many in our community who are less fortunate and have trouble making ends meet.

Hunger is a widespread problem in New York, where 1 in 5 children struggle with food insecurity, according to the hunger-relief organization Feeding America. These children and their families are at risk of an even more perilous situation as the federal administration is considering cutting funding for vital programs that help low-income residents put food on the table. For instance, earlier this year, President Trump released a proposed budget that slashes federal funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), more commonly known as food stamps, by nearly $200 billion over the next 10 years. This could aggravate an already desperate situation for millions of families and overwhelm food banks as more and more are forced to rely on them.

It’s up to us. Not only must we continue to pressure the federal administration to protect our most vulnerable residents who face food insecurity, but we also must take immediate action in our own community. That’s why the State Assembly has continuously been at the forefront of fighting poverty, combating inequality and creating more opportunity. Earlier this year, the Assembly fought to create a 25 percent tax credit on qualified food donations that farms make to food banks, up to $5,000 per year. We also made it easier for school districts and institutions of higher education to donate excess food to local community organizations, food pantries and soup kitchens (Ch. 316 of 2017).

We can help here at home, too. Since many food banks rely on charitable donations, we can extend the spirit of giving and help others enjoy the holiday season by volunteering our time or donating products to East End food pantries. Our community is strong because we step up and look out for one another.

Your efforts can go a long way in helping others this holiday season. On the East End, there are food pantries in each town. You can also find a regional food bank by visiting https://health.ny.gov/prevention/nutrition/hpnap/regional_foodbank_map.htm. For more information about this or any other community issue, please contact my office at Thielef@nyassembly.gov or call 631-537-2583.