October 31, 2025 - Philadelphia, PA
Governor Josh Shapiro announced new state-led efforts to support Pennsylvania's charitable food network and the two million Pennsylvanians who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) after the Trump Administration refused to fund SNAP benefits in November amid the ongoing federal government shutdown.The Governor is driving out $5 million in state funding immediately to Feeding Pennsylvania to distribute through its network of food banks across the Commonwealth. The Governor also signed a declaration of disaster emergency to expedite the delivery of Commonwealth funding and ensure relief reaches Pennsylvanians as quickly as possible. The declaration will allow state resources to be driven out more quickly, streamline contracting, and provide the Governor with additional tools to address the harm caused by the federal government shutdown."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," said Governor Shapiro. "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. The federal government has the money to keep people fed - they're just refusing to use it. 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."Speaker List:Loree D. Jones Brown, CEO, PhilabundanceGovernor Josh ShapiroRobin PerkinsJulie Bancroft, CEO, Feeding PAAgriculture Secretary Russell Redding
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