In light of the ongoing government shutdown, Pennsylvania’s Governor, Josh Shapiro, has taken proactive steps to address the food insecurity facing millions in the state. On Thursday, he rolled up his sleeves alongside volunteers at the Weinberg Northeast Regional Food Bank in Pittston, packing grocery boxes filled with essentials like canned and boxed foods.
Shapiro’s visit wasn’t just about volunteerism. He also provided an update on the state’s efforts to mitigate the impact of paused Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for over 2 million residents. Building on a previously pledged $5 million in emergency funds for food banks, he announced a new fundraising initiative.
“My administration has asked leaders in the private sector to add on to the dollars that we’re putting into the food banks, to help those meals grow and help those dollars go further,” Shapiro stated.
Pennsylvania’s SNAP Emergency Relief Fund
Since the fund’s launch, approximately $2 million has been raised from private donations. The SNAP Emergency Relief Fund will channel all contributions to Feeding Pennsylvania, which will then distribute the funds across the state’s food network.
Commonwealth Media Services
According to Shapiro, “Weinberg alone is receiving nearly $289,000 in emergency funds that translates into 337,000 more meals for Pennsylvanians here in the northeastern part of our Commonwealth. But let me be clear, our Pennsylvania food banks, despite doing the Lord’s work, they cannot meet the need that is left with SNAP not being funded.”
Jennifer Warabak, CEO of the Commission on Economic Opportunity and the Weinberg Northeast Regional Food Bank, emphasized the urgency of the situation. “Food banks like ours and the organizations we partner with on the front lines are witnessing an unprecedented surge in demand,” she stated.
Crystal Kotlowski, COO of Volunteers of America Pennsylvania, highlighted the growing strain, noting that their Wilkes-Barre food bank’s clientele has increased from 80 to over 800 households monthly in recent years.
SNAP Benefits on Pause Nationally
The suspension of SNAP benefits was announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in mid-October due to the government shutdown. Shapiro criticized this decision, calling it “cold-hearted, and by the way, it’s not the Pennsylvania way.”
Commonwealth Media Services
Governor Shapiro has joined other states in a lawsuit challenging the decision not to utilize a $6 billion contingency fund for SNAP, which resulted in partial benefits being issued. As of today, the Trump administration announced a reduction in the benefit cut from 50% to 35%, following a judge’s order that full benefits must be paid by Friday.
USDA, however, warned of potential delays in distributing payments due to the funding shortfall. Shapiro described the situation as bureaucratic, with “unclear and conflicting guidance” from federal agencies complicating the process.
Val Arkoosh, Pennsylvania’s Secretary of the Department of Human Services, has expressed concerns about the prolonged delays in a letter to USDA. Arkoosh stated, “This will only further delay availability of food assistance for nearly 2 million Pennsylvanians who are currently not receiving benefits to which they are entitled, and result in wasted taxpayer dollars and long-term harm to Pennsylvania’s SNAP program.”
Shapiro urged Pennsylvanians to contribute to the relief effort if they can, emphasizing the importance of community support during these challenging times. “For anyone out there who is worried about being able to put food on your table. There is no shame in this,” he reassured.
Shapiro expressed optimism following recent election outcomes, suggesting they could lead to positive changes and potentially reverse the SNAP benefit cuts. “What they want are leaders here who are going to fight for them, get stuff done for them, and protect their fundamental freedoms and rights,” he remarked.
