Governor Hochul Sees SACSS Programs in Action During Visit to SACSS

Governor Kathy Hochul visited the South Asian Council for Social Services (SACSS) and saw firsthand how SACSS supports underserved communities across New York and provides culturally responsive services in more than 20 languages. Her visit coincided with International Translation Day, making it an especially fitting day to highlight the language diversity and accessibility that are central to SACSS’ work.

During her visit, Governor Hochul met with SACSS staff, Board Members, Ambassadors, supporters and community members. She learned more about the programs that support New Yorkers with food, healthcare, wellness, senior services and workforce development, and saw how these programs come together under one roof to meet the different needs of the community.

Governor Hochul began her visit with the SACSS Food Pantry, where she learned how SACSS was the first South Asian pantry in New York to start providing culturally appropriate food to families across New York. The robust program distributed 6,000,000lbs of grocery bags in 2025. Today, the pantry serves more than 2,270 families each week, providing staples such as rice, lentils, oil, spices, and fresh produce, along with other foods that reflect the communities SACSS serves. She was also pleased to learn that SACSS provides home delivery for older and homebound community members, and considers accessibility needs when providing services.

While at the Food Pantry, Governor Hochul was joined by Assemblymember Nily Rozic and Council Member Sandra Ung in distributing food bags to clients and speaking with community members. Both elected officials have been longtime supporters of SACSS and its work, including efforts to address food insecurity, support older adults, and Workforce Development.

SACSS Ambassadors Roni Mazumdar, the creative force behind Unapologetic Foods, and Vijay Kumar, Executive Chef and Co-Owner of Michelin-starred restaurant Semma, also joined the visit. They spoke about the growing hunger crisis in New York and the important role the SACSS Food Pantry plays in addressing it. They also highlighted why culturally appropriate food matters, especially for people who find comfort in eating foods that are familiar to them and reflect their cultures.

The Food Pantry also offered Governor Hochul a glimpse into the way SACSS serves community members beyond a single need. A client may come to SACSS for food assistance and also find support with healthcare access, mental wellness, senior services or workforce development. With multiple programs operating throughout the day, SACSS serves as a place where community members can find different forms of support in one setting.

Governor Hochul experienced that vibrancy when she spent time with participants of Wednesdays for Women. Every Wednesday, women from across the community gather at SACSS for yoga, mental wellness programming, arts activities and opportunities to connect with one another, along with a warm vegetarian lunch.

As she spoke with the women, Governor Hochul saw firsthand the sense of community that has made Wednesdays for Women a meaningful part of their week. One participant, moved by the Governor’s visit, told her, “We are so proud that a lady is our governor and that you have come to visit SACSS.”

Governor Hochul also reflected on the role of state funding in supporting programs like Wednesdays for Women.

“I am very proud to be here and see the money that we allocate from Albany in our budget, with the support of Assemblymember Nily Rozic and Council Member Sandra Ung, come to you,” Governor Hochul told the women. “It comes to places like this, this bright gathering place where you can see your friends and you just have camaraderie and socialization, exercise and good food across the day.”

She continued, “You see in action the power of the support we can give because this is exactly what we’re hoping for. And I’m really proud to see what you’ve done here,” she said to Sudha Acharya, the Executive Director of SACSS.

Governor Hochul also visited Stitch with SACSS, SACSS’ Workforce Development program, where she met women learning to sew and saw their work in progress.

Launched in 2023, Stitch with SACSS teaches immigrant women sewing skills and provides each graduate with a sewing machine and opportunities to pursue work from home. Seventy women have graduated from the program to date.

While visiting the program, Governor Hochul viewed a painting recently created by New York City painter and printmaker Vaidehi Kinkhabwala. The painting was inspired by the women Vaidehi met through Stitch with SACSS and captures their stories, confidence, and the independent futures they are working toward. Governor Hochul was impressed by how beautifully the painting captured the essence of Stitch with SACSS and the experiences of the women represented in it.

Assemblymember Rozic and Council Member Ung also shared how much they enjoy attending Stitch with SACSS graduation celebrations and presenting certificates to graduates. During the Governor’s visit, they had the opportunity to see the journey before graduation and meet a new group of women as they learned, practiced and built their sewing skills.

The visit gave Governor Hochul a closer look at what happens at SACSS every day: community members accessing food, women building connections, students developing new skills and staff working across programs to ensure people can find the support they need.

SACSS was grateful for the opportunity to welcome Governor Hochul and share the work happening across our programs. We look forward to continuing to build support and partnerships that allow SACSS to serve underserved communities across New York.