Allegheny County – October 31, 2025 – Today, State Senator Wayne Fontana announced that his Senate office will launch a food drive next week to benefit people who may lose assistance tomorrow under the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
“Due to policy decisions in Washington, D.C., nearly two million Pennsylvanians may not receive SNAP payments starting tomorrow. That includes approximately 300,000 of our friends, families and neighbors here in Western Pennsylvania.
As many turn to food pantries, and as pantries are already at capacity, I am organizing a food drive and donations to the Community Food Bank of Greater Pittsburgh to support our local communities that would experience the loss of SNAP benefits.”
People can participate in two ways.
- Individuals can make a donation online and it will go directly to the Food Bank of Greater Pittsburgh. For every dollar donated, the Food Bank can provide up to three meals to the children, families and seniors they serve in southwestern Pennsylvania.
- Items can be dropped off in person at Senator Fontana’s Kennedy Township District Office located in the Kenmawr Plaza at 500 Pine Hollow Road.
Donations will be accepted Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. until Thursday, November 20. Please note that the office is closed for Election Day on Tuesday, November 4 and Veterans Day on Tuesday, November 11.
The most needed things are:
- Canned fruit packed in 100% juice.
- Canned vegetables with low sodium content and no added salt
- Low sodium/no added salt canned beans and soup
- Canned tuna or chicken packed in water
- Wholegrain cereals, oats and pasta
- Peanut butter
- Household items
- Hygiene products
- Diapers
- Any other sustainable product is appreciated and can aid fight hunger in these tough times.
Despite the ongoing federal government shutdown, $5.5 billion is currently available in USDA’s SNAP emergency fund to pay benefits. However, despite using the emergency fund during the previous government shutdown in 2018-2019 to ensure those in need still had access to food, the Trump administration chose not to provide the funds.
If you have any questions or more information about the food drive, please contact Senator Fontana’s office in Kennedy Township at 412-331-1208.
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