CARMEL – The Putnam County Legislature has released $150,000 in emergency funding approved last fall but left unspent after the federal shutdown threat to food stamp benefits ended.
The resolution approved unanimously at this week’s session authorized the release of $75,000 to the United Way of Westchester and Putnam, $50,000 to Putnam Community Action and $25,000 to Cornell Cooperative Extension.
On October 31 2025, County Executive Kevin Byrne’s letter of necessity stated that funds would be used through existing county agreements during November and possibly beyond; however, no funds were ever distributed to the three non-for-profits while the lawmakers never received a final written accounting of the three appropriations.
Legislator Nancy Montgomery explained the purpose of the allocation was “never fulfilled” because the money was not distributed when the shutdown ended seven days later.
“The need still exists, arguably more urgently now, and I want to see those dollars finally put to work to help Putnam County families,” she told her colleagues.
Montgomery chairs the Legislature’s Health Committee.
As of last fall, 3,000 Putnam residents received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) payments with 950 of those being senior citizens.
Legislature Chairman Dan Birmingham said the loss or reduction of SNAP benefits “shifts demand to local food pantries, soup kitchens, prepared meal programs and other emergency food providers that cannot replace the scale of the federal benefit but require immediate resources to respond.”
The lawmakers believe with the approach of the holiday season and winter months in addition to continuing food price pressures and federal SNAP changes; immediate deployment of the previously appropriated food security funds was necessary and prudent.
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