Government shutdown 2025: Nearly 2M Pennsylvanians at risk of losing SNAP benefits due to government shutdown
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — On November 1, nearly two million people across Pennsylvania could lose access to their lifeline for fresh food.
If the government shutdown continues, Pennsylvania will not get federal payments for SNAP benefits.
The scenario is creating a lot of worry for people who rely on SNAP and for organizations that help fight food insecurity. That includes Young Chances Foundation in Grays Ferry.
“We do free meals Tuesdays and Thursdays. We give out fresh vegetables mainly every day,” said Tyrique Glasgow, executive director of Young Chances Foundation.
Every day, a table outside the nonprofit’s office is stacked with food that community members can take. The organization provides food and hot meals to those in need. That need could get even bigger if SNAP food assistance is cut due to the government shutdown.
“This is just a challenge we’re getting prepared for,” said Glasgow.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health recently issued a notice saying in part, “Unless Congress takes immediate action, SNAP payments will not be issued for November. More than 1.9 million Pennsylvanians receive SNAP benefits.”
“(I can get) two weeks’ worth of food,” said Dennis Green of Grays Ferry. “So now if I don’t have that, it’ll be four weeks I have to come up with food. It’ll be rough out here.”
Glasgow also brings up the concern that no SNAP benefits could mean kids go to school hungry and distracted.
“As the CEO of Philabundance, I’m worried,” said Loree Jones Brown.
Philabundance has already lost more than $1.5 million in federal funding and food due to the Trump administration’s cuts earlier this year. The organization has pushed for more donations to try to make up for that, but they doubt their efforts can make up for the loss of SNAP benefits.
“For every meal that a food bank like Philabundance provides, SNAP provides nine,” said Brown. “So if that goes away, even if I double, triple, quadruple, I would not be able to manage that.”
SNAP recipients with unused funds on their cards would still be able to use those funds, but there may not be more help coming in November.
“I hope it doesn’t happen,” said Jerome Welton of Grays Ferry. “But some people have got to understand you’ve got to stand on your own two feet sometimes to get things done.”
“We’re doing everything we can to raise more funds, to get more food donated so we can at least continue to serve our families,” Brown, who adds that Pennsylvanians are often very generous in times of need.
Community members are already offering help to Young Chances Foundation, which is increasing its food giveaways to offer hot breakfast and dinner in addition to daily food giveaways as they try to bridge the gap left by a loss of SNAP benefits.
“The challenges are there,” said Glasgow, “but there’s the acceptance that we have to find a way to make it happen.”
Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services recommends the following for anyone who needs help finding food resources in the absence of SNAP benefits:
To donate food or resources to Young Chances Foundation or Philabundance, visit: youngchances.org or philabundance.org.
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