Metro Philadelphia
Gov. Josh Shapiro on Friday unveiled an emergency plan to safeguard Pennsylvanians from food insecurity after federal funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) was halted during the ongoing government shutdown.
Shapiro signed a disaster emergency declaration and immediately released $5 million in state funds to
Feeding Pennsylvania to distribute through the Commonwealth’s network of food banks. The declaration allows the state to accelerate funding and resources to affected families.
“Nearly two million Pennsylvanians rely on SNAP every month — and they shouldn’t have to wonder where their next meal will come from because of the dysfunction in Washington,” Shapiro said. “There is no substitute for the federal government’s decision not to release SNAP benefits, but my Administration is stepping up to use every tool we have — state resources, private sector support, and the compassion of our communities — to make sure our food banks are fully stocked and our families are fed."
State and private support mobilized
The $5 million in state support will flow through Feeding Pennsylvania using the Pennsylvania Agricultural Surplus System (PASS) — a Department of Agriculture initiative connecting food banks with Pennsylvania farmers to provide fresh, local food.
Alongside the state investment, Shapiro launched the SNAP Emergency Relief Fund, a private sector fundraising campaign that has already secured more than $1 million in donations from Pennsylvania business and philanthropic leaders, including Thomas Tull, Connie Williams, Mark Cuban, and David and Hallee Adelman.
Federal inaction puts millions at risk
SNAP, which has been federally funded since its creation in 1964, provides more than $366 million in monthly benefits to Pennsylvanians, including over 713,000 children and nearly 700,000 older adults. In total, roughly 42 million people in the U.S. receive SNAP benefits each month.
With Congress failing to pass a federal budget, the Trump Administration has opted not to release November SNAP benefits, despite billions in available contingency funds. This is the first time in history that the federal government has stopped SNAP payments.
In response, Shapiro joined 24 other states and Washington, D.C. in suing the administration for unlawfully suspending payments.
"The federal government has the money to keep people fed — they’re just refusing to use it," Shapiro said. "In Pennsylvania, I won’t let our families or food banks shoulder that burden alone, and I’m not going to stand by while the federal government lets Pennsylvanians go hungry.”
How Pennsylvanians can help
Pennsylvanians who are able are encouraged to support local food banks and pantries. Visit feedingpa.org to learn more about how to donate or volunteer.
