With the federal government shutdown stretching into its sixth week, United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes is stepping up relief efforts — deploying an additional $250,000 to Foodlink to address urgent food insecurity across the region.
The funds come from United Way’s United Response Fund and are intended to help meet surging demand at food pantries as families experience delays and disruptions to critical federal nutrition programs like SNAP and WIC.
This latest contribution builds on a $184,000 gift earlier this fall, bringing United Way’s total support for Foodlink this season to over $430,000.
“Mobilizing resources during times of crisis is core to our work,” said Jaime Saunders, president and CEO of United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes. “The shutdown is the latest crisis to land on our doorstep, and we are taking immediate action to support our neighbors.”
Foodlink supports more than 300 food pantries across a six-county region. With growing demand and fewer resources, local nonprofit providers are feeling the strain — and more ripple effects are expected as policy changes roll out in the coming months.
More help needed as disruption continues
United Way is bracing for continued impacts beyond food insecurity. Changes in federal and state policy are expected to affect local healthcare, housing, and human service programs into 2026.
“We’re in a moment of significant disruption,” Saunders said. “Nonprofit partners and the people they serve will face new and complex challenges.”
The United Response Fund is designed to react quickly to community crises. Donations will support:
- Essential service coordination and communication
- Nonprofits facing funding delays or disruptions
- Agencies at risk of closure or major service cuts
- Other urgent needs identified through local assessment
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