Community Action urges residents to reach out to reps over steep funding cuts for agency

‘The elimination of these agencies and programs would be devastating.’ – Renee Hungerford, executive director of Community Action of Orleans & Genesee

Press Release, Community Action of Orleans & Genesee

ALBION – Several national news stories are circulating about Health and Human Services (HHS) cuts in the proposed federal 2026 budget.

The proposed cuts include the elimination of Head Start, LIHEAP (energy assistance), and the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) which is the foundational funding that enables Community Action Agencies to exist.

Last month, Renee Hungerford, CEO of Community Action of Orleans and Genesee, spent a week in Washington, DC, to meet with members of Congress and their staff to discuss the critical importance of the Community Services Block Grant, Head Start, and LIHEAP.

“I am grateful to have received words of support, from both Republicans and Democrats, for our programs,” Hungerford said. “Any one of us can fall into a situation of economic challenge. Our programs are designed to help people through those difficult times and reach self-sufficiency.”

It is important to note that the federal budget has not yet been approved by Congress and constituents are urged to contact members of Congress, with concerns, before the budget is presented to Congress.

The contacts for the area’s House of Representatives member and two U.S. senators include:

• Congresswoman Claudia Tenney  (Click here for contact information)

• Senator Kirsten Gillibrand  (Click here for contact information)

• Senator Charles Schumer  (Click here for contact information)

“In 2024, our agency assisted nearly 5,000 individuals with programs that improve health outcomes and financial stability,” Hungerford said. “This includes over 240 children in Head Start programs. In addition, we provide meaningful employment which supports our local economy. There are one thousand Community Action Agencies in the US providing similar programs.  The elimination of these agencies and programs would be devastating.”

For more information, please contact: info@caoginc.org or visit www.caoginc.org.