Shapiro enacts emergency assistance for Pa. food network; wins SNAP suit against Trump Admin

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New state-led efforts to support Pennsylvania‘s charitable food network and the two million Pennsylvanians who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) have been announced by Governor Josh Shapiro. 

In response to the Trump Administration’s refusal to fund SNAP benefits in November amid the ongoing federal government shutdown, Shapiro directed $5 million in state funding to Feeding Pennsylvania to distribute through its network of food banks across the commonwealth. The governor also signed a disaster declaration to speed the delivery of that funding and ensure relief reaches Pennsylvanians as quickly as possible — allowing state resources to be driven out faster, streamlining contracting, and giving Shapiro additional tools to address the harm caused by the shutdown. 

“I’m honored to speak on behalf of our nine food banks, which serve 1.7 million Pennsylvanians each year, including nearly half a million children,” Feeding PA CEO Julie Bancroft said in a statement. “Hunger in Pennsylvania has risen 44% in just two years — and even as our food banks distribute over 237 million pounds of food annually, it’s not enough to meet the growing need. Our network is using cash reserves to keep shelves stocked, but those resources are limited, making emergency funding critical. 

“The support announced will help ease the pressure and bridge the enormous gap caused by the loss of SNAP benefits. This funding is both practical and symbolic — showing what’s possible when government, farmers, and nonprofits come together to put people over politics. To the millions of Pennsylvanians feeling anxious about what’s to come, know that our food bank network is here for you — and we’ll get through this together.” 

Shapiro has also led a private sector fundraising effort to help food banks meet increased demand — raising more than $1 million to date for the “SNAP Emergency Relief Fund” thanks to contributions from Pennsylvania leaders including Thomas Tull, Connie Williams, Mark Cuban, and David and Hallee Adelman. 

“Our farmers, food banks, and families rise and fall together,” Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said in a statement. “We recognize in Pennsylvania that you cannot have a charitable food system without a food system that’s charitable, so when federal programs fail to protect that important partnership, we don’t wait — we act.” 

Shapiro has teamed with 24 other states and Washington, D.C. in suing the Trump Administration for unlawfully suspending SNAP payments and failing to use billions in Congressionally-approved contingency funds available to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to continue benefits during the shutdown. 

Two federal judges ruled Friday that the Trump Administration must continue to fund SNAP, the nation’s biggest food aid program, using contingency funds during the government shutdown. After two judges ruled against the Trump Administration’s decision to halt food assistance funding during the federal shutdown, Lt. Gov. Austin Davis is urging the federal government to immediately make funding available to provide November benefits to the millions of Pennsylvanians who rely on SNAP. 

“State government can do a lot, but we cannot backfill the loss of federally funded SNAP benefits caused by the federal government shutdown,” said Davis. “It should not have taken a lawsuit to make the federal government use available funding for SNAP benefits. Now that the courts have ruled, I encourage the Trump Administration to follow the law, listen to the courts and pay up. The governor and I will continue to fight for every single penny that is owed to the good people of Pennsylvania.” 

“Cutting off SNAP benefits not only hurts two million Pennsylvania seniors, veterans, and families with children, it hurts the farm families, and those who hold the 12,000 grocery industry jobs across the state supported by SNAP spending,” Redding said. “The Shapiro-Davis Administration is fighting to make life better for Pennsylvania families and children, not taking away benefits that provide their next meal. We are calling on the Trump Administration to fight with us, not against us.” 

Department of Human Services Special Assistant Stephanie Meyer said failing to fund SNAP is an avoidable crisis that affects Pennsylvania’s economy, workforce, and the health and wellbeing of the nearly 2 million Pennsylvanians who use the program. 

“As we await direction to hopefully begin to leverage contingency funding, I urge those who are able to build on Governor Shapiro’s emergency investment and support our charitable food network,” said Meyer. “We urge Congress and the Trump Administration to work quickly to end this unnecessary cruelty.”