If there's no end to the shutdown, November SNAP benefits will not be paid on Saturday, putting a lot more pressure on organizations that provide food.
Some of those organizations got a much-needed boost on Wednesday.
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The Philly Gives campaign kicked off Wednesday afternoon at the 6abc Studios. Philly Gives is a community-focused fund that supports local nonprofits. At the kickoff, 10 organizations received $50,000 each. It kicks off a two-month-long campaign, asking the community to also give.
"When we give collectively, we create a stronger, kinder city," said Dr. Janet Haas with the William Penn Foundation.
The ask comes in the wake of a government shutdown that's cutting off SNAP benefits. It puts more pressure on organizations like Philabundance, which received a Philly Gives grant.
"We're planning to distribute 600,000 more meals each month for the next three months, to support people on SNAP when they lose those benefits. That's going to cost us a minimum of $300,000 each month," said Philabundance CEO Loree Jones Brown.
If the government shutdown continues, SNAP benefits will not be paid on Saturday, November 1. Nearly two million people in Pennsylvania would not get food assistance. It's why Governor Josh Shapiro signed his name onto a new lawsuit, which demands that the Trump Administration continue SNAP payments.
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In a press release statement to Action News, Shapiro said that cutting SNAP benefits is "unacceptable, especially when the USDA has billions of dollars in congressionally-appropriated contingency funding."
Business owners like Jennifer Zavala are trying to fill the gap. Her restaurant, Juana Tamale in South Philadelphia, is serving up meals to kids, regardless of whether their parents can pay.
"It is pay what you can or nothing at all," said Zavala. "What is happening with food insecurity at this time is hitting a whole demographic of people.
Zavala hopes to keep serving the free food with support from the community, much like Philly Gives supports local organizations as they try to meet the most pressing needs in uncertain times.
"If we give together, we create lasting change," said Haas.
As part of a partnership with Philly Gives, Action News will feature stories spotlighting each organization that received a grant over the next ten weeks.
Last year, the campaign raised $200,000. To learn more, you can go to 6abc.com/PhillyGives.