Josh Shapiro, Governor | Pennsylvania Government
Governor Josh Shapiro visited the Weinberg Northeast Regional Food Bank in Luzerne County to work with volunteers and discuss ongoing state efforts to support food assistance for Pennsylvanians affected by the halt of federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
Last week, Governor Shapiro declared a disaster emergency, allowing $5 million in state funds to be distributed through Feeding Pennsylvania's network of food banks. The Weinberg Northeast Regional Food Bank received $288,992 as part of this initiative. In addition to state funding, the Governor announced that private donors have contributed $2 million to a new SNAP Emergency Relief Fund. Contributors include Peggy Grove, Richard Green, Tom Hagen, Thomas Tull, Connie Williams, Mark Cuban, and David and Hallee Adelman.
The combined state and private funds are intended to help food banks respond to increased demand following the federal government's decision not to release November SNAP benefits.
"Nearly two million Pennsylvanians rely on SNAP every month - and they shouldn't have to wonder where their next meal will come from because of dysfunction in Washington," said Governor Shapiro. "There's no substitute for the federal government's decision not to release SNAP benefits, but my Administration is stepping up to use every tool we have - state resources, private sector support, and the compassion of our communities - to keep our food banks stocked and our families fed. The federal government has the money to keep people fed - they're just refusing to use it. In Pennsylvania, I won't let our families or food banks shoulder that burden alone."
The announcement was made alongside Jennifer Warabak (CEO of Weinberg NE Regional Food Bank), Crystal Kotlowski (COO of Volunteers of America of PA), Logan Brace (Farmer and Co-Founder of Brace Orchards Farm), Representative Jim Haddock (PA's 18th House District), and Representative Eddie Day Pashinski (PA's 121st House District).
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