People may not lose their SNAP benefits come November after all, but it could take days or longer for the funds to actually reach people’s accounts. This, combined with an already strained charitable food system, has people taking action.
Governor Shapiro announced that 5 million dollars in state funding will go directly to Feeding Pennsylvania to help fund area food banks.
This comes as two federal judges ruled the Trump administration must release congressionally approved contingency funds to keep SNAP going through the shutdown.
“It’s going to take about 10 days for them to be able to get those dollars flowing to SNAP recipients again. And number two, given this administration and its propensity to ignore the rule of law, I don’t trust that they are going to follow this judge’s ruling,” says Governor Josh Shapiro.
In our area, local food pantries have been overwhelmed even before the potential cuts to SNAP.
It’s why the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley and the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation have launched the Critical Support Fund.
“So, what we’re doing right now is raising dollars so that we can immediately purchase bulk amounts of food to get out to as many pantries as possible,” says Marci Lesko, President/CEO of United Way of The Greater Lehigh Valley.
Their goal is to raise 500,000 dollars to purchase food to keep the shelves of pantries stocked.
This comes at a time when the charitable food system and other social services are seeing a record number of clients.
“Many of our nonprofits are struggling, struggling to keep their own lights on and to be able to continue to provide services, in addition to that, people are struggling being able to purchase food,” says Lesko.
New Bethany Inc. in Northampton County is one of those nonprofits that’s seen more people come in for food than ever before.
The rising cost of living, combined with the recent threat of SNAP benefits being cut off, has caused a surge in clients.
In addition, the lack of a state budget has stopped the flow of certain items.
“We have been unable to get just the most basic essential foods, call it your peanut butter, your rice, canned protein, just things like cereal,” says J. Marc Rittle, Executive Director, New Bethany Inc.
Now, the critical support fund will start by supplying that food because with or without SNAP benefits, these local food pantries need to be prepared.