Ulster County Community Action Faces Rising Demand for Support

The Ulster County Community Action Agency is grappling with a significant increase in demand for food and heating assistance as local families face escalating challenges. According to Suzanne Hinchey, the agency’s outreach program director, the combination of food insecurity and severe winter conditions is pushing many households to seek help.

During an interview last year, Hinchey expressed concerns that the policies of then-President-elect Donald Trump would negatively impact non-profit organizations like hers. Now, nearly a year into his presidency, those predictions are proving accurate. Hinchey noted, “We’ve seen a lot more families coming in,” highlighting the urgent need for support in the community.

The recent government shutdown, which temporarily halted the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), exacerbated the situation. Hinchey explained that during this period, “we couldn’t even keep our pantry shelves stocked” at outreach centers located in Kingston, Ellenville, and Monticello. The agency reported an increase in the number of families seeking assistance, estimating that the demand has “probably tripled.”

In response to the heightened need, Community Action has received valuable contributions from various organizations. Donations from the Ulster County Italian American Foundation and the Highland Rotary Club have helped supplement the agency’s resources. Additionally, food drives organized by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection and generous gifts, such as the donation of 100 turkeys by Lauri Andretta Vetera, have made a significant impact. “We were able to provide 234 families with turkey breasts and all the fixings,” Hinchey noted.

Weekly contributions from retailers such as Walmart, Sam’s Club, and Hannaford provide vital supplies of meats, vegetables, and daily essentials. In November, Kingston’s Canna Planet dispensary contributed over 300 cans of food weekly, with expectations for similar contributions in the coming weeks. Local businesses and organizations, including the Dentists’ Office of the Hudson Valley and the Sojourner Truth State Park, have also organized food drives to support the agency.

As SNAP benefits have begun to resume, new requirements pose additional challenges for families. Hinchey explained that able-bodied adults without dependents under the age of 14, who do not receive Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income, must now complete either 80 hours of work or volunteer service each month. “This new requirement was a major hit for our families that we serve,” she said.

In addition to food assistance, the agency continues to deliver bags of food and personal hygiene items to 13 emergency housing locations. This month, the agency provided prepared meals to 260 families, serving a total of 420 individuals during Thanksgiving. Chef Scott Baber of Galo Food Productions in Kingston prepared the meals, with plans to distribute food for Christmas as well.

For years, the agency has offered federal Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) services to help residents maintain warmth during harsh winters. Unfortunately, this year, the program is nearly non-existent. “With the cold weather approaching, the impact is going to be devastating because they’re not going to have heat,” Hinchey emphasized. She regularly checks the federal website for updates, fearing that thousands of households in Ulster and Sullivan counties will face a heatless winter.

The lack of assistance will disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, including seniors, individuals with disabilities, and families struggling to make ends meet. “It’s (hurting) seniors, it’s disabled, it’s families with children. It’s people that are working, but they can’t make ends meet,” Hinchey stated. She warned, “Unless funds for HEAP are released, people are going to freeze to death… It’s going to be a disaster.”

Currently, warming centers are available in Kingston, Ellenville, and Saugerties in Ulster County, as well as two locations in Sullivan County. The agency plans to utilize funds raised to continue and expand its programs, particularly during the holiday season when needs are heightened.

Community Action operates from its offices at 70 Lindsley Ave. in Kingston, 2 Clinton Ave. in Ellenville, and 309 E. Broadway, Suite A in Monticello. The agency is open Monday through Friday from 08:00 to 16:00. Those interested in supporting their efforts can donate online at https://uccac.org/donate/, through the PayPal button on their Facebook page, or by mailing a check to Ulster County Community Action, Inc., 70 Lindsley Ave., Kingston, NY 12401. For more information about the agency’s programs, individuals can call (845) 338-8750.