CONGRESSWOMAN SUMMER LEE SPEAKS AT A PRESS CONFERENCE, OCT. 28, AT THE GREATER PITTSBURGH COMMUNITY FOOD BANK OFFICES IN DUQUESNE ABOUT THE POSSIBLE SNAP SHUTDOWN.
Saturday, Nov. 1, could be the start of some very trying days for thousands of families in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County and beyond.
Due to the federal government shutdown, SNAP benefits, more commonly known as food stamps, will not be paid to 42 million Americans, which includes more than 160,000 people in Allegheny County.
Important phone numbers
Project Destiny – 412-231-1258
Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank –
412-460-3663, ext. 655
Just Harvest – 412-431-8960
Families rely on those benefits to fill up the home refrigerator and freezer with food for the month, or for as much of the month as possible, and many of those families have small children in the home.
The situation could become so dire that local food pantries and even individuals are banding together to help provide food to those who may need it.
Congresswoman Summer Lee on Tuesday, Oct. 28, met with local residents in Duquesne about the possible SNAP shutdown. She was joined in unity by the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, Westmoreland County Food Bank, Jewish Family and Community Services, Rainbow Kitchen, Project Destiny and Just Harvest.
“Every day, families in Western Pennsylvania are doing everything right —working hard, paying their bills—and still struggling to put food on the table,” Congresswoman Lee said at a separate event on Oct. 24 when she was joined by other Democratic lawmakers. “It’s cruel that in the wealthiest country in the world, Republicans are playing partisan games while millions of families, seniors, veterans, and children wonder how they’ll afford groceries next month. Programs like SNAP are lifelines, not luxuries, and they’re always the first on the chopping block for those who’ve never had to worry about going hungry. While we’re fighting to make sure folks can afford food, healthcare, and housing, Republicans are fine with people losing all three. USDA must act now to make sure every family can keep food on the table.”
Dion Dupree, a former New Pittsburgh Courier “Man of Excellence, told the Courier that on Thursday, Nov. 6 at 5 p.m., 100 free dinners will be provided for youth outside of Club Elegance, 804 Braddock Ave., Braddock. Dupree, Mario Duncan and Alvin Nix have teamed up to use $450 of their own money to provide the meals. Dupree said the 100 free dinners will be made available each Thursday in November, even if SNAP benefits do become available. Residents who wish to make financial donations to the free dinner giveaways can visit Club Elegance any day beginning at 6 p.m.
“There’s a lot of anxiety right now” among local residents, Dupree, 49, told the Courier, Oct. 28. “Wondering how they’re going to get through the month with no food stamps. Some people are preparing by setting money aside to prepare for Thanksgiving. I know people personally who are really worried about how they’re going to survive the month.”
Just a few steps from the Courier’s South Side offices is the organization Just Harvest, which has been fighting against hunger in the region for nearly 40 years. More people are calling their phone lines worried about the possible SNAP shutdown. Interim Executive Director Heather Seiders released a statement on Oct. 28, saying that “not only are the needs of everyday working people being ignored, but the programs meant to protect them are being weaponized. When our leaders turn food and healthcare into bargaining chips, families suffer, small businesses lose, and trust in government erodes. This is not governance, it’s cruelty disguised as politics.”
The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank released a collective statement on Oct. 23, which read in part: “What will missing SNAP payments mean for our neighbors? Nearly 80 percent of SNAP participants live in families with children, seniors or people with disabilities. If SNAP payments are delayed, our most vulnerable neighbors will face extreme hardship. The Food Bank and our pantry partners will do everything we can to help provide food to our neighbors in need, but the charitable food network was not designed to replace federal food assistance. If you or someone you know needs assistance, the Food Bank is open and here to help.”
The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank’s telephone number is 412-460-3663, ext. 655.
Zinna Scott, interim executive director of the Pittsburgh Food Policy Council, basically sent out a “SOS” to residents about the possible SNAP shutdown. She urged people who may be in need of food to call “211” or visit www.pa211.org for local food assistance. Residents can also go to www.pa-navigate.org for nearby food resources.
Scott reiterated that if someone currently has funds on their EBT card, they can continue using the funds, as the benefits won’t expire for up to one year from the date they were issued. Scott also said that the Department of Human Services would continue processing SNAP applications, renewals and case changes.
ALVIN NIX, MARIO DUNCAN AND DION DUPREE WILL PROVIDE 100 FREE DINNERS TO YOUTH ON THURSDAY, NOV. 6, AT 5 P.M., OUTSIDE OF CLUB ELEGANCE, 804 BRADDOCK AVE., BRADDOCK.
“Food is a human right,” Scott said in a statement provided to the Courier, Oct. 22. “Disrupting SNAP will deepen poverty, strain local assistance networks, and harm those already navigating economic uncertainty, especially in communities long impacted by systemic inequities. We urge our federal leaders to act immediately to end the shutdown and restore life-sustaining support.”
Over in Braddock, Dupree told the Courier he’s not worried about how it feels personally that him and his business partners are providing food. For Dupree, it’s about the free dinners and “what it’s doing for those in need.”
REVEREND BRENDA J. GREGG IS PRESIDENT, FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF PROJECT DESTINY ON THE NORTH SIDE. SHE’S DOING ALL SHE CAN TO HELP THOSE WHO ARE IN NEED OF FOOD.
And over on the North Side, Rev. Brenda Gregg, president/founder/executive director of Project Destiny, told the Courier that with no doubt, “food is at the top of the list of what families are needing right now, and it’s getting worse every day.”
Reverend Gregg, who is also pastor of Destiny of Faith Church on the North Side, said Project Destiny provides meals to about 600 families per month already at its California Avenue location, but the possible loss of SNAP benefits is unimaginable. She said local residents can call Project Destiny at 412-231-1258 if they’re in need of food.
“I’m just concerned over the stress that this is having for families,” Rev. Gregg told the Courier, Oct. 28. “I’m concerned about the trauma. Our families have been traumatized enough.”