SNAP and Medicaid. We’ve been hearing about these government support programs in the media daily these past few months, with their funding facing the chopping block. But what exactly do they do? And how do they serve our community members? Lets break it down:

3.62 million babies were born in the United States last year. Infants go through an average of nine diapers a day, at an average cost of 30 cents each, costing their caregivers approximately $1,000 during that critical first year. Because of this significant cost, babies do not always have access to the diapers they need. In fact, nearly 1 in 2 U.S. families with young children report struggling to afford diapers. And this struggle has been ever growing—since the pandemic, the cost of diapers has grown 48%. 

A tour through the 914Cares facility feels a bit like landing on a cloud where a group of earth angels are busy creating little miracles daily within a dizzying number of rooms with clearly marked shelves. Sooo many shelves. Sooo many helping hands. Santa’s elves have nothin’ on this crew!

BDO International, a financial advisory firm, reports that during the pandemic, 35% of U.S. nonprofits showed an increase in demand for their services, while 75% had a decrease in funding. In Westchester, it has been no different, with nonprofit organizations being asked to do more with less as they continue to face adversity during the era of COVID.