Ocasio-Cortez Joins City Harvest for a Food Distribution for Federal Workers at Vaughn College

Queens, N.Y.- This weekend, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) joined City Harvest, New York City's first and largest food rescue organization, to host a Food Distribution for federal workers impacted by the government shutdown at Vaughn College in Queens. Over 260 federal workers attended and more than 9,300 pounds of food were distributed.

"This weekend, I partnered with City Harvest to distribute fresh groceries to our TSA workers at LaGuardia Airport who have not received a paycheck in over a month because Republicans have halted negotiations to reopen the government. While millions of federal workers are missing paychecks, the White House has chosen to play politics with SNAP and risk plunging families across the country into hunger," said Representative Ocasio-Cortez. "While we fight to fully fund SNAP and reopen the government, I am grateful for the leadership, volunteers, and everyday people contributing to our food banks and ensuring our neighbors can still feed their families."

"Even before the government shutdown, visits to New York City soup kitchens and food pantries were at a record high," said Jilly Stephens, CEO of City Harvest. "Now that federal workers are missing paychecks and SNAP benefits are delayed and will not be paid in full as a result of the shutdown, even more of our fellow New Yorkers will need help putting food on the table. City Harvest is stepping up to provide as much food as possible for our neighbors in need at this critical moment."

"Vaughn is proud to partner with City Harvest to support our neighbors during this challenging time. Their dedication to feeding families affected by the government shutdown reflects the heart of New York-compassionate, resilient, and united. Vaughn College is honored to serve as a hub for this vital effort, and we thank City Harvest for their unwavering commitment to our community," said Vaughn College President Dr. Sharon B. DeVivo.

Photos and videos from the distribution are available here.

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