On Nov. 7, the morning was cloudy and cold, and a line of nearly 20 people stood on the sidewalk past the murals on the People’s Place building in Kingston, waiting for the food pantry to open. But at least it wasn’t raining.

For Ulster County residents who depend on federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to purchase food and avoid starvation, the day was significant for the number of advances — none miraculous.

First, it was the deadline by which a federal judge in Rhode Island, John J. McConnell, ordered the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to restore full food subsidies to more than 42 million low-income recipients across the United States.

Speaking during a court hearing, McConnell said: “Without SNAP funding for the month of November, 16 million chil

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