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A Feeding Westchester breadline on a 30 degree morning last year. Inflation and defunding threaten the food supply.

 INFLATION FROM TARIFFS, BIRD FLU SKYROCKET COSTS OF SUPPLYING MEALS TO COUNTY

WPCNR THE HUNGER STORY. By John F. Bailey. March 20, 2025:

Feeding Westchester announced  last night it faces a $2 Million loss of government funding .

Ryan Brisk Vice President of  Operations and Procurement addressing the audience including many politicians and representatives reported the lost $2 million dollar reduction on the zoom last night. And, there could be more government cuts by July the start of the next fiscal year, Feeding Westchester does not know.

He cited two other situations aggravating the loss of  operating funds:

Planned tariffs on Mexico and Canada could be  expected to create commensurate inflation prices on foods imported from those two countries.

One example is the cost of eggs. He cited a truck of eggs $50,000, but the latest contracted order was raised to $150,000 for a truck of eggs, and Feeding Westchester did not have the financial resources to pay 200% hike.

The spread of bird flu  further complicates staples because of the rising cost of eggs (now $6 a dozen).

Karen Erren, CEO of Feeding Westchester said  Feeding Westchester ability to feed county residents that currently  makes 229,000 Neighborhood visits each month that deliver 19.3 million months and distributes 23 million pounds of food  would be impacted and the organization was planning how to replace the as of now 25% loss of funds for the 2025-6 fiscal year.

When Feeding Westchester was founded in 1988 the organization fed  between 175,000 and  140,000 a month. Today that has grown to 275,000 monthly. Westchester County population is 1,000,400 persons.

Other non profits that distribute food will be similarly affected.

WPCNR THE LETTER TICKER MARCH 18,2025:

WANTED—A CITIZENS COMMITTEE TO ORGANIZE A STUDENT CONTEST AGAINST HATE AND BIGOTRY

WINNING POSTERS WILL BE PLACED AROUND GREENBURGH –CONTEST TO BE ANNUAL

Last Tuesday I suggested to the Greenburgh Town Board that the town sponsor an annual poster competition among school children against hate and bigotry.

Members of the Board asked me to come up with a more specific proposal. The next step: A committee of residents should be formed to help come up with criteria for an annual contest and assist in implementation of this student art contest. The committee may choose to organize two or three different competitions based on grades – grade school, middle school and high school.

I suggest that the winning posters be placed at the entrance to Greenburgh Town Hall, the Theodore Young Community Center, The Police and Court House, the Library, AF Veteran Park and at the entrances to Greenburgh streets for one year.

I think that the winning posters should highlight what a welcoming community Greenburgh is. Those entering the competition should highlight  opposition to all forms of bigotry—against Blacks, Hispanics, Jews, Irish, Indian, Italians, Muslims, Chinese, Japanese, Hindu’s, Sikh’s and the LGBTQ community among others.

The winning posters should be placed at the above locations for one year. Each year the town should sponsor another student competition.   This contest is also a great opportunity to teach students about racism and bigotry and to encourage our  youth to welcome those who are different.

Are you interested in helping develop a proposal?  And, working as a member of the committee.? If yes – please e mail me at [email protected].

I would like to present the Town Board with a proposal that could be considered and hope that the first competition could be organized this year.

Let’s celebrate our diversity and let’s send a message to anyone entering Greenburgh that we will not tolerate bigotry against anyone.

PAUL FEINER

Greenburgh Town Supervisor