Pinellas organization awards $150,000 in emergency funds to support food banks, pantries amid shutdown, SNAP uncertainty

“The funding will help partners purchase food, expand service hours, and stabilize access while public functions resume,” the Pinellas Community Foundation said.

PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — An organization in Pinellas County announced it will give $150,000 in emergency funds to support local food banks and neighborhood pantries as the government shutdown continues and food assistance remains uncertain.

Nov. 1 marks the date for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to expire, as judges have ordered President Donald Trump’s administration to fund the program.

Amid the uncertainty of whether or not the program will be funded or if the government shutdown will come to an end soon, the Pinellas Community Foundation (PCF) said it is deploying the money to help local partners respond to a surge of neighbors seeking help and reports of increased demand tied to economic pressure and federal funding disruptions.

PCF said in a statement that “97,000 Pinellas residents — about ten percent of the county — receive SNAP benefits. Even a brief disruption can send thousands of families to food programs.”

The organization noted that federal employees and contractors in the county can also be affected as paychecks are paused, noting that the funding is a short-term action to help people.

“Private philanthropy cannot replace government funding,” said Duggan Cooley, CFRE, CEO of Pinellas Community Foundation. “This is not about substituting for public responsibility. In moments like this, we act to stabilize. Our goal is to help local systems and families hold on until public functions resume.”

The emergency funds will be awarded to the St. Petersburg Free Clinic‘s South Pinellas distribution hub and its “We Help FRESH” program; to the Hope Villages of America food bank; FEAST Food Pantry, Gathering of Women, Florida Dream Center, Tarpon Springs Shepherd Center, Dunedin Cares, Mattie Williams Neighborhood Family Center and Oldsmar Cares.

The grant partners aim to reinforce the countywide food network distribution and support neighborhood food pantries reaching households, according to PCF.

PCF adds that members of the communities in Pinellas County can help by volunteering with nearby pantries, asking agencies about what is needed and with cash donations to help nonprofits act quickly.