Trump administration cuts to support services are challenging the Chautauqua County Rural Ministry in Dunkirk, its executive director said this week.

“Definitely it has affected us,” said Bridget Majka. “We’re expecting it to affect us more.”

She stated that cuts to the USDA ended the Grow Chautauqua program, which offered fresh produce for clients. “We had 200 bags going out in half an hour” when the program was operational, Majka said.

She added that cuts to Feedmore WNY funding lessened the availability of their product. Majka explained that Feedmore supports the Rural Ministry’s Friendly Kitchen, which serves hot meals, with food that is low-price and occasionally even free. Feedmore also helps with access to other grants, she said.

It comes at a time when the demand for the Friendly Kitchen is as high as ever. “Six months ago, we used to serve 130 to 180 meals in a whole day. We are serving about 230 meals a day these days,” Majka said.

The Rural Ministry also runs a pantry with food to take home. Majka said that’s much busier, too, with about 25 new families coming to use it each month.

“People are not able to spend money on food because it’s so expensive,” she said. They use their money instead on utilities and rent, which are also rising.

Majka expects to hear about more federal cuts that will affect Rural Ministry services. She added that previous grant programs are now in question.

“We are just kind of hanging in and seeing what more comes our way, and being thrifty,” she said.

“The thing is, we’re all kind of waiting. So many nonprofits are kind of in the holding pattern and not spending too much.”