ALLENTOWN, Pa. – Pennsylvania digs deep to keep SNAP benefits flowing to 2 million Pennsylvanians.
Governor Josh Shapiro made that announcement Friday afternoon, as benefits were expected to be suspended Saturday. Now, the state will help to keep the food flowing as the fate of SNAP benefits still remains unclear.
“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,” Gov. Shapiro said.
Just hours from a SNAP Program pause that would have led to unprecedented disruption and longer lines at pantries like the Allentown Area Ecumenical Food Bank, Governor Shapiro signed a disaster emergency declaration to keep doors open, and people fed, including Milcia Reyes, a mother of four from Allentown who gets here staple items here.
“Rice, milk, eggs, are important, as well as food for the baby,” Reyes said.
Two million Pennsylvanians depend on SNAP, including 700,000 older adults, and 713,000 children, including Milcia’s.
“I am happy because it’s good for any family,” said Reyes.
Pennsylvania is part a lawsuit filed by 25 states taking legal action against the federal government to ensure November SNAP payments will be made.
“In the past week, we saw a 23 percent increase in clients. The majority of those are new people who typically get SNAP benefits and honestly they are panicking,” said Anne Egan of the Allentown Ecumenical Food Bank.
In addition to 5 million from the state, The Governor has launched a private sector fundraising effort to help food banks meet future demands, raising more than 1 million so far for the SNAP Emergency Relief Fund.