County Executive Wendel Urges Community Support Amid SNAP Funding Uncertainty During Federal Shutdown

(WNY News Now) – Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel is calling on residents to support local food pantries and soup kitchens as federal funding delays threaten November SNAP benefits.

MAYVILLE, N.Y. — As the ongoing federal government shutdown raises concerns over November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel is encouraging residents to come together in support of local organizations helping families in need.

“Across Chautauqua County, our food pantries and soup kitchens are the backbone of compassion,” said Wendel. “While federal assistance programs like SNAP may be delayed in November, these local organizations continue to step up—feeding families, children, and seniors who are in need. I encourage everyone who can to lend a hand, donate food, or volunteer your time to help your neighbors through this difficult period.”

Wendel emphasized that Chautauqua County’s strength lies in its people and their willingness to support one another during challenging times. “Chautauqua County has always been a place where neighbors look out for one another,” he said. “That sense of generosity and compassion is what makes our communities strong, especially during challenging times like these.”

According to the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), SNAP benefits cannot be issued for November unless the federal government shutdown ends or additional federal funding is approved. Households will be notified by November 1, 2025, regarding the status of their benefits.

“We understand that the uncertainty caused by this situation is deeply concerning for families who depend on SNAP to meet their basic food needs,” said Carmelo Hernandez, Chautauqua County Commissioner of Social Services. “We want residents to know that we are doing everything we can to keep cases up to date and to make sure families are ready to receive benefits as soon as federal funding is restored.”

SNAP recipients are advised to monitor updates directly through OTDA’s official channels:

Website: otda.ny.gov/shutdown
myBenefits: mybenefits.ny.gov
ebtEDGE app or hotline
Text messages sent directly to SNAP households

“This is an unprecedented situation that impacts communities across the country,” added Hernandez. “Locally, we want residents to know they are not alone-Chautauqua County has an incredible network of community partners ready to help.”

Residents experiencing food insecurity are encouraged to reach out to local programs including:

St. Susan Center, 31 Water Street, Jamestown – stsusancenter.org
Friendly Kitchen (Chautauqua County Rural Ministry), 319 Washington Avenue, Dunkirk – theccrm.org

Those seeking food assistance or looking to donate can also visit 211wny.org. In the “Find Resources” section, type “food” and enter your ZIP code to locate nearby programs.

While SNAP benefits are temporarily affected by the shutdown, Public Assistance (PA) programs remain unaffected and will continue to be issued as usual.

Residents with questions about their SNAP case or urgent food needs can contact the Chautauqua County Department of Social Services at (716) 661-8000 or visit chautauquacountyny.gov.