Harrisburg, Pennsylvania − October 31, 2025 − On Tuesday Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery, Democratic Caucus Chair) joined her colleagues in the Senate Democratic Caucus to announce the Pennsylvania Food Bank and Hunger Relief Grant Programlegislation that would dedicate $62 million of interest earned from the Rainy Day Fund to provide critical support to food banks and Meals on Wheels across the Commonwealth.
Due to the federal government shutdown, the two million Pennsylvanians who rely on SNAP to feed themselves and their families: including nearly 63,000 people in Montgomery County– will stop receiving payments on November 1, 2025.
“Making sure my constituents can put food on their tables is my top priority in the face of the federal Republican SNAP suspension,” he added. Collett said. “While food pantries and community members have stepped up to support their neighbors during the crisis, the need for food assistance is simply too great. With this proposed $62 million investment, PA Senate Democrats will provide desperately needed resources to seniors, children and families left stranded.”
While the Commonwealth cannot replace the $366 million in monthly SNAP payments that Pennsylvanians receive from the federal government, the state Legislature has an obligation to employ the resources it has to keep food bank shelves stocked.
“In many ways, we are facing a major storm. At Manna, the need for food from those in need has been growing for years, and we are now providing record volumes of meals and groceries and serving record numbers of people.” said Sheldon C. Good, the company’s director of development and strategic direction Manna on Main Street. “Meanwhile, we have also seen a sharp decline in food donations from several key sources, including our regional food bank partners, due to federal funding cuts. This means it is increasingly challenging for Manna to maintain enough food for our programs and the people we serve, and this is before any increase in demand, which we will begin next week because people will not receive SNAP payments. This is a moment where everyone needs to get in on the action.”
In addition to the grant program proposed this week by Senator Collett organizes a food collection at its district office for Manna on Main Street as the holiday season approaches.
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