To the Editor: The cancellation of a recent free food distribution at People's Place, initially cited as a lack of food and later as a "safety issue," underscores a growing crisis in Ulster County. While scarcity wasn’t the immediate concern in this instance, the reality is that demand and need for food assistance is at an all-time high, and resources are already stretched dangerously thin.

I truly commend the Ulster County Legislature for its efforts to address food insecurity, including its comprehensive report examining the issue and its commitment to strengthening local food programs. The introduction of a $350,000 fund to support food assistance initiatives is a critical step forward, but with 14 percent of Ulster County residents living in poverty and a 17 percent rate of child food insecurity (Villalba, 2022), sustained investment is essential.

Cuts to food programs don’t trim excess, they eliminate thousands of meals that people rely on. At the same time the demand is growing, the ability to meet it is shrinking. This is not a theoretical concern: it is already happening. The ripple effects will be felt throughout our community, disproportionately affecting those already facing economic hardship.

It is time for Ulster County leadership to continue its proactive approach and ensure that food assistance programs remain robust and accessible. Increased investment, strengthened partnerships, and transparent communication about resource allocation are essential. The people most affected by these shortages deserve answers.

More importantly, they deserve solutions.

Dylan Moscoso

Village of New Paltz