With rising costs and uncertainty around federal funding, many families in the Philadelphia region are facing the possibility of losing or having their SNAP benefits delayed. It’s a stressful time — but there are resources both for those who may be impacted and for community members who want to step in and help. We have written about where families can find resources when they are in need before. We updated this piece to reflect the upcoming delays.

For Families and Individuals: What to Know & Where to Turn

First, check your eligibility and the status of your benefits. In Pennsylvania, SNAP helps residents purchase groceries with an EBT card. Currenlty the PA.gov site indicates, “We will notify SNAP recipients when payments can resume, and we will let you know when to expect SNAP payments.”

Because of looming funding gaps, local hunger relief organizations are bracing for a surge in demand. For example, Share Food Program notes that “the need for hunger-relief is only increasing” and they are working “around the clock to feed our neighbors.”

If you think the county assistance office may delay or terminate your SNAP payments, contact them promptly and make sure your paperwork is up to date. Also reach out to local food banks and pantries as a backup.

Specific Local Help

• Share Food Program (Philadelphia region) — They provide a wide network of food distribution, partner pantries, home delivery for senior citizens, and emergency relief.
  
• Community resource lists: The Community Resources page on Share Food Program’s site lists items such as tenant rights webinars, warming centers, unemployment navigation help
  
• For many, calling 2-1-1 (the PA United Way helpline) is a good starting point to find immediate food assistance and other support.
  
• Tips: Stock shelf-stable staples when you can; reach out early to community fridges or partner pantries; explore other benefit programs (for senior citizens, children, WIC, local school food programs) if SNAP becomes uncertain.

For Community Members and Volunteers: How You Can Help

Consider donating to local hunger-relief organizations. For example, Share Food Program is asking for help to meet rising demand: “With inflation and new cuts to SNAP, the need for hunger-relief is only increasing.”

Volunteer your time: many food banks and pantries need help packing, delivering, stocking shelves, operating community fridges. Share Food Program highlights opportunities like home-delivery, produce stands, food rescue.

Organize a food drive in your workplace, school, or faith community. Focus on items that keep well and are easy to distribute: canned goods, boxed meals, pasta, shelf-stable proteins, baby items, personal-care products. If you are hosting a food drive at your place of business, please submit the event to our Main Line Parent events calendar so we can help promote it.

Advocate and raise awareness. Many local households are expected to feel the impact of the impending SNAP interruption. The foodbanks expect to see an increase of 9 times more demand than they typically see. Sharing this reality helps people understand the stakes and may motivate more support.

Partner with local organizations. If you run a business or community group, consider sponsoring a “partner pantry” location or a “community fridge” in your neighbourhood. Share Food Program has networks of partner locations across Philadelphia and the suburbs.

Don’t forget the power of simply donating funds, if you can. Food pantry representatives and Share Food Program have ways of stretching their donation dollars in ways that we cannot when shopping our grocery stores. While they immensely appreciate all food donations, they also accept monetary donations.. Buying food for others provides us as donors with an intrinsic “feel good” feeling but it’s important to not lose sight of the goal of feeding as many people as possible.