Copyright Mechanicsburg Patriot News
Gov. Josh Shapiro on Friday signed a declaration of disaster emergency to release millions to help feed low-income Pennsylvanians one day before the federal food safety net program runs out of money. At a press conference in Philadelphia, Shapiro pledged $5 millio for food banks as SNAP — the federal supplemental food program that serves 1 in 8 Americans — is slated to come to halt Saturday amid the protracted government shutdown. Shapiro also rolled out a private sector donation campaign, with more than $1 million for food banks through the “SNAP Emergency Relief Fund.” Shapiro’s actions coincide with orders from two federal judges directing the Trump administration to release billions in backup funding for the SNAP program. The Trump administration has refused calls for the release $5.5 billion in contingency funding to keep the program running, noting that the funding is earmarked for an emergency. “Nearly 2 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.” Shapiro said the federal government has the money to keep people fed. “They’re just refusing to use it,” he said. “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.” A federal judge in Rhode Island on Friday ordered the Trump administration to release backup funds for SNAP. Another federal judge gave the Trump administration until Monday to release the funds, noting the administration’s refusal to release the contingency funds is likely unlawful. Shapiro has taken several measures to mobilize state resources and the private sector to protect access to the food security program. Earlier this week, Shapiro joined 24 other states and Washington, D.C. suing the Trump administration for suspending SNAP payments. Shapiro directed the state funding to Feeding Pennsylvania, which partners with a network of food banks and anti-hunger coalitions, many of them already under strain from federal budget cuts. The declaration of disaster emergency will expedite the delivery of funds. The initial infusion of $1 million for the “SNAP Emergency Relief Fund” was made possible by the donations of business titans and leaders from Pennsylvania, including Thomas Tull (AI business in Pittsburgh), Connie Williams (a former Democratic state lawmaker), Mark Cuban (Pittsburgh-born billionaire businessman, an owner of the Dallas Mavericks), and David and Hallee Adelman (co-owners of the Philadelphia 76ers). Shapiro made Friday’s announcement at Philabundance — the largest non-profit food bank in the Delaware Valley region. He was joined by Feeding Pennsylvania CEO Julie Bancroft, Philabundance CEO Loree D. Jones-Brown, and Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. Anti-hunger advocates say SNAP recipients are likely to experience an interruption in their benefits. It’s not clear how quickly the state emergency funding will funnel into the system to benefit food banks.
