Propel and GiveDirectly

Hunger rates in New York State have surpassed early pandemic levels, according to the latest NYHealth data brief.

With rising food prices, inflation, and stagnant wages, working families are increasingly relying on food assistance programs, like SNAP, as a lifeline to survive. Amid the government shutdown, the federal government delayed and reduced Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for November. After threatening to fully withhold benefits, the federal government provided partial benefits under court orders. These actions put an estimated 3 million New Yorkers in an immediate hunger crisis. In 2025, NYHealth awarded partners Propel and Give Directly a grant to provide immediate cash relief to New York families at risk of hunger amid the government shutdown and SNAP benefit delays.

Under this grant, New York-based civic tech organization Propel leveraged its platform, which connects an estimated 400,000 New Yorkers to SNAP electronic benefits, to send a cash transfer to New York families at risk of hunger. The transfer was distributed to New Yorkers who receive the maximum SNAP allotment—a key indicator of high need. The funding helped support New Yorkers so they could shop for their food without relying on overwhelmed food pantries.