AARP Urges Legislature to Join Governor, Take Effective Steps to Fight Hunger

Praises Gov. Cuomo for Proposing to Expand SNAP Reach

Statement by AARP NYS Director Beth Finkel on Anti-Hunger recommendations in Governor Andrew Cuomo’s 2016 Agenda:

“Too many older New Yorkers battle hunger, and AARP applauds Governor Cuomo for proposing to adopt the recommendations of the state’s Anti-Hunger Task Force (pages 169-176).

“Governor Cuomo rightly acknowledged the health, mental and emotional toll hunger can take on the elderly. His proposals to expand eligibility and outreach for the federally-funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) while fighting stigma through a new credit card-like benefits card, to help adult day care centers take advantage of available but underutilized federal food funding, and to continue last year’s state funding level for New York’s emergency food system through 2020 all make eminent sense.

“About half of New Yorkers 60 and older who were eligible AARP NY 2013 Hunger White Paper as of 2013 – about half a million people. And delivering SNAP to more New Yorkers would help both the needy and their communities; every $5 in SNAP benefits generates $9 in community spending.

“I was proud to serve on the Anti-Hunger Task Force, and AARP strongly urges the state Legislature to join the Governor and adopt the task force’s recommendations.”

Contact: Erik Kriss, ekriss@aarp.org

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AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of more than 37 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment and income security, retirement planning, affordable utilities and protection from financial abuse. We advocate for individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services.  A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world's largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin;  www.aarp.org ; AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP en Español, a Spanish-language website addressing the interests and needs of Hispanics. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity of AARP that is working to win back opportunity for struggling Americans 50+ by being a force for change on the most serious issues they face today: housing, hunger, income and isolation. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more at www.aarp.org

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