Pennsylvania food banks celebrate state budget boost amid rising hunger
WHAT SOME OF THEM HAD TO SAY. MICHAEL. YEAH, JERRY AND LORI, THOSE ORGANIZATIONS ARE CELEBRATING TONIGHT AND ARE TREMENDOUSLY GRATEFUL AFTER THEY SAY IT’S BEEN A TOUGH TIME OVER THE PAST 135 DAYS WITHOUT A STATE BUDGET AND FEDERAL FUNDS BEING IN FLUX FOR A PORTION OF THAT. NOW, WHEN YOU TAKE A LOOK AT THE BUDGET THAT WAS JUST SIGNED, THE STATE FOOD PURCHASE PROGRAM, WHICH IS A LIFELINE FOR FOOD BANKS ACROSS THE STATE, THAT WOULD SEE AN INCREASE IN FUNDING TOTALING OVER $30 MILLION. AND ONE OF THOSE ORGANIZATIONS THAT WILL BENEFIT IS HUNGER FREE PENNSYLVANIA. IT’S ONE OF THE MANY CHARITABLE FOOD ORGANIZATIONS SERVING ALL 67 COUNTIES IN THE COMMONWEALTH. AND THEY TELL US THIS COULDN’T HAVE COME AT A BETTER TIME. AS THEY SAY, THEY’VE SEEN HUNGER SURGE DUE TO HIGHER COSTS FOR FOOD AND OTHER ESSENTIALS, AND SLASHED SNAP BENEFITS, WITH MANY FOOD BANKS SEEING A SURGE IN DEMAND SIMILAR TO COVID TIMES. BUT ALTHOUGH THEY ARE THANKFUL, THEY SAY WHEN IT COMES TO FOOD INSECURITY, WE ALL MUST REMAIN VIGILANT WHILE BUDGET IS PASSED AND THE INCREASES ARE IN PLACE. WE’RE CERTAINLY NOT OUT OF THE WOODS. THE SURGE IN DEMAND WITH RISING PRICES AND WITH UNCERTAINTY STILL IN FEDERAL PROGRAMS, OUR CHARITABLE FOOD SYSTEM IS MORE VITAL THAN EVER. AND IT IS A SAFETY NET THAT ALLOWS OUR PENNSYLVANIANS NOT SIMPLY TO THRIVE, BUT IN THESE CHALLENGING, UNCERTAIN TIMES, SIMPLY DAY BY DAY. TO SURVIVE, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT STRENGTH, THAT SAFETY NET IS ENFORCED, THAT THE CONVERSATIONS CONTINUE AND THAT WE CONTINUE TO DO EVERYTHING IN OUR POWER TO ADDRESS HUNGER, WHICH IS A VERY SOLVABLE PROBLEM. AND STEWART SAYS THEY AREN’T QUITE SURE WHEN THE ORGANIZATION WILL SEE THE FUNDS COME IN. BUT THEY DO BELIEVE WITH THIS
Pennsylvania food banks celebrate state budget boost amid rising hunger
Updated: 11:11 PM EST Nov 12, 2025
Pennsylvania food banks are expressing gratitude for a new state budget that increases funding for the State Food Purchase Program to more than $30 million, providing crucial support amid rising demand and food insecurity.Hunger-Free Pennsylvania, one of the charitable food organizations serving all 67 counties in the state, noted the surge in hunger due to higher food costs and reduced SNAP benefits, which have led to demand levels similar to those seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.Stuart Haniff, executive director of Hunger-Free Pennsylvania, said, “While the budget has passed and the increases are in place, we are certainly not out of the woods with a surge in demand and still uncertainty in federal programs. Our charitable food system is more vital than ever. It is a safety net that allows our Pennsylvanians to not simply thrive but — in these challenging times, day by day — to survive. We need to make sure that strength and safety is enforced and that the conversations and to combat hunger, which is a very solvable problem.”Although the organization is unsure when the funds will be received, Haniff believes that with this increase, the best is yet to come.
Pennsylvania food banks are expressing gratitude for a new state budget that increases funding for the State Food Purchase Program to more than $30 million, providing crucial support amid rising demand and food insecurity.
Hunger-Free Pennsylvania, one of the charitable food organizations serving all 67 counties in the state, noted the surge in hunger due to higher food costs and reduced SNAP benefits, which have led to demand levels similar to those seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Stuart Haniff, executive director of Hunger-Free Pennsylvania, said, “While the budget has passed and the increases are in place, we are certainly not out of the woods with a surge in demand and still uncertainty in federal programs. Our charitable food system is more vital than ever. It is a safety net that allows our Pennsylvanians to not simply thrive but — in these challenging times, day by day — to survive. We need to make sure that strength and safety is enforced and that the conversations and to combat hunger, which is a very solvable problem.”
Although the organization is unsure when the funds will be received, Haniff believes that with this increase, the best is yet to come.