As Pennsylvania sues over SNAP cuts, Philly steps up to fill gap
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Pennsylvania and more than 20 other Democratic-led states sued the Trump administration Tuesday to force it to resume food stamps payments as the shutdown drags on.
The big picture: Nearly 2 million Pennsylvanians rely on SNAP benefits, which will stop Saturday without a deal to reopen the government.
Driving the news: Gov. Josh Shapiro — along with the attorneys general and governors from 25 states and D.C. — argue in the lawsuit that the White House is withholding up to $6 billion in emergency funds to sustain SNAP benefits.
- The Trump administration is using food assistance as a "political bargaining chip," Shapiro said in a statement.
What's inside: The suit alleges the move to halt the benefits violates the Food and Nutrition Act, which requires "assistance under [SNAP] must be furnished to all eligible households who apply."
The other side: "Democrats chose to shut down the government knowing full well that SNAP would soon run out of funds," a spokesperson for the Office of Management and Budget said in a statement.
- "It doesn't have to be this way, and it's sad they are using the families who rely on it as pawns."
By the numbers: More than a third of Pennsylvania's SNAP recipients are under 18.
- In Philadelphia, more than 470,000 — or nearly 1-in-3 residents — receive the benefits.
Threat level: Already strained by other federal program cuts, food banks warn they won't be able to keep up with the surge in need when SNAP benefits run out.
- "What the shutdown is doing is it's just, instead of throwing water on the fire, it's throwing gasoline on it," said George Matysik, the executive director of Philadelphia-based Share Food Program.
Zoom in: Philadelphians are stepping up. Some are taking to social media to encourage neighbors to help stock the city's community fridges.
- Christine Schafer, the lead for Germantown Community Fridges' prepared food program, tells Axios that the group has seen a recent boost in donations.
Meanwhile, local groups and businesses are trying to fill the gap.
- The organizers for a Halloween concert at One Art Community Center in West Philly are running a food drive to benefit Philabundance.
- And local food influencer djour.philly is teaming up with 2 Robbers in Fishtown to launch a can-for-can drive Saturday. In exchange for a can of food, the first 100 people will get a free hard seltzer.
📍 Find supplemental food sites on the city's website.
Go deeper: Two dozen states sue Trump administration over impending SNAP cuts