Hi, I’m Lucas Shtainer, a native New Yorker, and I’m raising funds to support the Food Bank For New York City. For the past couple of years, I’ve been volunteering at my local synagogue, packing bags of food for people experiencing food insecurity.

Starting November 1, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will not receive sufficient funding to pay regular November SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits due to the government shutdown. As a result, roughly 1.8 million New York City residents — including families, seniors, and students — are at risk of losing access to critical food assistance.

This interruption in SNAP benefits could leave thousands of households without the means to purchase groceries, creating an immediate and severe strain on food pantries and local relief organizations. While the State of New York has declared a state of emergency and allocated emergency funds to support food banks, the demand for assistance is expected to exceed available resources.

In this moment of crisis, I felt compelled to give back to my city, drawing on my experience in community food service. That’s why I’m launching this GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for the Food Bank For New York City, which serves as a lifeline to more than 800 community food programs across the five boroughs. Your donation will help ensure that families can access groceries and fresh produce while federal support is delayed.

Fighting food insecurity means a lot to me — SNAP fed both my parents when they first came to this country from Ukraine. Together, we can help New Yorkers stay nourished and supported through this challenging time.