About 60,000 Berks County residents who depend on federal food assistance will not receive their benefits in November due to the federal government shutdown.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture notified Pennsylvania officials this month that it would not be able to fund Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program payments without the government reopening, and those officials say the commonwealth is unable to backfill those costs.
About 14% of the county population — 60,226 people — depend on SNAP benefits to buy groceries and feed their household each month, according to the latest data from the state Department of Human Services.
SNAP benefits are 100% federally funded, and benefits can only be spent on food.
Each month, roughly 2 million Pennsylvanians receive more than $360 million in SNAP funds from the federal government. The average SNAP benefit in Berks is about $211 a month for a household, according to the latest data from the state.
Jay Worrall, president of Helping Harvest in Spring Township, said the pause in SNAP benefits will be devastating for those who are facing food insecurity in Berks. And while the charitable food network is a vital part of ensuring Pennsylvanians have access to healthy food, this network cannot replace the benefit to the state from SNAP.
Jay Worrall, president of Helping Harvest, said the food pantry in Spring Township will do what it can to help those who will be impacted by the pause in SNAP benefits during the federal government shutdown. (Courtesy of Helping Harvest)
“We understand that SNAP is a much more robust response to food insecurity than a food pantry that is open only once a month, so we really try to encourage people to apply for the benefit,” he said. “We are huge supporters of SNAP, and not allowing people to access those benefits because the government is shut down is just appalling to me.”
Worrall said Helping Harvest, which distributed about $15 million in food to nearly 110,000 people in Berks and Schuylkill counties last year, will do what it can to support those who will be impacted by the pause in benefits.
“I’m proud of what our food bank does, but SNAP is the key supporter for people facing food insecurity for people in Berks County,” he said. “And, honestly, for this to happen right before the holiday season is just awful and there will be substantial consequences.”
Worrall, who also serves as chairman of the Feeding Pennsylvania Board of Directors, added that Helping Harvest is facing obstacles of its own at the moment.
“The budget impasse at the state level means that we don’t have the funds that we normally get to purchase food so we have fewer resources to deal with this new challenge,” he said.
For those who need help
For immediate needs during the shutdown, Berks residents can visit helpingharvest.org or call 610-926-5802 to help find food distribution sites and other resources.
For those who want to help
Berks residents who are able to assist Helping Harvest are encouraged to make a financial contribution, donate food or volunteer their time to support the organization as it continues to experience high demand. More details about how to help can be found at helpingharvest.org.