(BUFFALO, NEW YORK) – The Trump Administration’s assault on “life-and-death” programs like SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) spurred the New York State AFL-CIO to take action and institute an effort called Labor Feeds NY: A Week of Action Against Hunger.

Between the rising costs of groceries and the disruption of SNAP benefits during the Republican’s recent shutdown of the Federal Government, Working Families across New York were put at risk with more than three million New Yorkers facing a hunger crisis, according to State AFL-CIO Officials.

As such, New York’s Union Movement declared it would “not stand by while our neighbors go hungry” and initiated a statewide week of action that ran from November 15th through the 23rd.

During that time, State AFL-CIO Labor Federations, their Central Labor Councils, individual Unions and their Members heard the call to action and got involved, coming together to donate hundreds upon hundreds of pounds of non-perishable food to local pantries and school-based food programs - as well as contribute monetarily to hunger relief organizations that are making a difference in their communities.

And with Thanksgiving on Thursday (November 27th), every act of solidarity, large or small, is working to help make a difference for families in need, the State AFL-CIO said. 

Here in Western New York, the Western New York AFL-CIO Area Labor Federation mobilized, working with its Affiliated Member Unions and the 145,000 Members they combine to represent.

On Saturday (November 22nd), the WNYALF held a news conference at 1199 Service Employees International Union’s (SEIU) Buffalo Union Hall with representatives of the Community Action Organization (CAO) and Assistant Pastor Elder Eric Campbell of the Greater Faith Bible Tabernacle, among others, to announce the collection of $5,000 in monetary donations (which will be presented to FeedMore WNY, a Food Pantry Distributor) and the collection of hundreds and hundreds of pounds of non-perishable food items to be distributed to churches, food pantries and other outlets across the Western New York Region to help those in need.

In attendance from the area Labor Community was: The Communications Workers of America (CWA); the International Union of Painters & Allied Trades (IUPAT) District Council 4; the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA); the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT); the United Auto Workers (UAW) and 1199 SEIU; as well as representatives from the New York State Foundation for Fair Contracting and the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County.

Speaking at a podium in between two tables stacked with non-perishable items, WNYALF President Denise Abbott (Pictured Above/WNYLaborToday.com Photo) said: “It is a ‘time of uncertainty and growing need’ in Western New York and our country, ‘to say the least.’ With the ‘longest’ Government shutdown in our Nation’s history ‘finally ended’ and the Trump Administration’s ‘continued attacks’ on ‘life-and-death’ programs like SNAP, (the Labor Movement) ‘will not stand by as Workers, families and their children go hungry.’ ‘Let me be clear: In the United States, the richest Nation in history, no one should go hundred - period.’ ‘And we will not tolerate the inhumanity and greed that starves’ Working Class Families. The Labor Movement’s ‘greatest struggles have been defined by everyday people showing up to fight for one another and against the inhumanity and greed that starves us.’ ‘The solidarity among our Unions and the community has changed history and saved lives.’ ‘This moment calls for nothing less.’”

Newly-elected Buffalo AFL-CIO Central Labor Council President Grace Bogdanove (Pictured Above With Abbott/WNYLaborToday.com Photo) also spoke, telling those in attendance: “At a time ‘when it feels like we’re seeing bad news out of (Washington) D.C. on a daily basis, whether it’s rampant corruption, the disruption of SNAP Benefits, the gutting of services that vulnerable populations rely on or the continuing effects of the President ‘Big Ugly’ Reconciliation Bill, communities coming together and taking matters into our own hands speaks to the power that we have to fight back.’ ‘At the heart of the Labor Movement lies the belief that each and every person deserves dignity, and that profits cannot - and will not, come at the expense of people.’ ‘Regrettably,’ the President and his friends in the Federal Government ‘have proven time and time again through their words and actions that they do not share this belief - and have no problem putting their own self interests above the needs of the American People.’ As you can see today, ‘I stand hand-in-hand with the Brother, Sisters and Siblings in this movement to make one thing abundantly clear: Labor will not let our neighbors go hungry.’”

Also speaking at the news conference were:

Dr. Marie Cannon, President and CEO of the CAO: “I am ‘grateful for the collaboration that was born out of this call to action.’ There is a ‘growing strain on our neighbors (who must decide) to pay for their prescriptions or their rent or keep their lights on.’ ‘We have all come together to meet this challenge and build a coordinated response system.’ The WNYALF ‘brings strength and solidarity of Working People.’ ‘You are the reason this is possible (and because of it) we are stronger and more resilient.’”

Assistant Pastor Elder Campbell of the Greater Faith Bible Tabernacle: “This is ‘such a blessing looking at this table - small things are big things.’ ‘We are grateful to you, Western New York’s Labor Union and the responsibility (Unions have shown) to your community.’ ‘This is the beginning of all things being possible to those who believe.’”

IUPAT District Council 4 Business Manager Mike Hogan (Pictured Below/WNYLaborToday.com Photo): “We ‘shouldn’t have to be doing this, but we will continue to fix this broken system in our country that we all cherish.’”

NYSUT Member Donna Walters (Pictured Below/WNYLaborToday.com Photo), who serves as President of the Erie 1 Professional Education Association and is a WNYALF Board Member: “NYSUT is ‘proud to be here for this reason, with (33%) of SNAP recipients being children.’ I’ve spent (31) years in the classroom and ‘it is hard for children to concentrate with their bellies empty.’ ‘It is absurd to have this stress in the home not knowing whether they can put food on the table.’”

UAW International Representative Lonnie Everett (Pictured Below/WNYLaborToday.com Photo), also a WNYALF Board Member: “The UAW is ‘honored to be part of this as families struggle.’ ‘Every bit of food is a lifeline and some are struggling in our community.’ ‘But we are fighting back with food.’ It’s ‘unfortunate we are seeing this now.’ ‘That we are under attack is incredible.’ ‘We should be more than that.’ ‘I don’t want to see people go down that path.’ ‘Labor has stepped up and we are about people at heart.’”