Workers at a Rockland nonprofit say they are worried about how possible cuts to food assistance could impact the mental health of the people they serve.

Randi Rios-Castro, the CEO of Jawonio, says she has real concerns about what could happen if SNAP benefits are taken away on Saturday.

"We have many people that rely, not just the people that we're supporting, but some of our staff, that rely on the SNAP benefits to eat," Rios-Castro says.

Rios-Castro says her nonprofit supports several people who have special needs and mental health challenges. The CEO says some of these clients have been calling her office for help as Saturday approaches.

"Some of these people do not have transportation... Some of them have some serious, persistent mental illness that will impact them and their ability to stand on a line to wait for food," Rios-Castro says.

The announcement from the nonprofit comes as Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency on Thursday.

"This is a food emergency and I want to unleash every tool at our disposal to keep New Yorkers from going hungry."

Hochul says the declaration helped the state secure an additional $65 million for new emergency funding. She says this will help provide 40 million meals to hungry New Yorkers.

"I believe it's immoral for people to suffer because Republicans will not unleash the food emergency funds that are sitting there," the governor says.

Republican Rep. Mike Lawler responded to these claims.

"Kathy Hochul should demand Senate democrats end the shutdown and pass the CR to fund SNAP and WIC today," Lawler says.

In the meantime, Tim Hunter, a Jawonio peer specialist, has these tips for anyone concerned about their mental health during this time.

"I use breathing exercises. It's not going to help with a full belly, but it does help to keep you calm," Hunter says.