Curry commends Shapiro for supporting local food banks on eve of SNAP freeze
Rep. Gina H. Curry October 31, 2025 | 4:17 PM
Upper Darby, Oct. 31 – State Rep. Gina H. Curry applauded Gov. Josh Shapiro on his announcement that the state will bolster area food banks with $5 million in state funds to help ease the expected burden of November’s SNAP freeze.
“I am proud of Governor Shapiro for stepping up today to show the people of Pennsylvania that we hear them and we see them,” said Curry, D-Delaware. “The people don’t deserve to be in the crosshairs of politics. Regardless of the disconnects happening at the state and federal levels, our residents should always know that we have them and their best interests at heart. Today, Governor Shapiro showed them in a very concrete way that he’s dedicated to supporting them to the extent that he can.”
Out of deep concern for her constituents and the 2 million community members who will be heavily impacted by the SNAP halt, last Friday, Curry sent a letter to the governor urging him to take action to support food access resources throughout the state. Without federal SNAP dollars distributed to Pennsylvania’s thousands of recipients, even the largest and most well-funded food pantries and food assistance programs will struggle to meet the increased demand. In the southeast region alone, 685,808 people will be without SNAP funds in November.
“This is not only about hunger,” said Curry. “It’s about the erosion of the foundation of our communities and the instability that historically follows the loss of basic necessities. Our schools, our hospitals, our public safety networks, and our civic trust will all feel the impact when people go hungry. We know that when despair takes hold, there is unrest and reactionary response. We are all already despairing over many issues statewide and nationwide; we need to keep our neighbors fed to protect the peace, dignity, and wellbeing of our families.”
Today, Shapiro held a press conference at Philabundance in Philadelphia, where he announced state-led efforts to support the state’s charitable food network by making $5 million in Commonwealth funding immediately available. The $5 million in state funds will be distributed to food banks by Feeding Pennsylvania. To speed up distribution of the funds, the governor also signed a declaration of disaster emergency.
In addition, Shapiro is leading a private sector donation campaign that has already secured over $1 million in private donations through the “SNAP Emergency Relief Fund.”
“It’s our job as legislators not only to anticipate and plan for future needs for our constituents, but to respond with grace and action when emergencies arise. Governor Shapiro and the state of Pennsylvania did that today,” she said. “It won’t solve the problems thrust upon our communities by the federal government shutdown, but it will help sustain us in the immediate future. I am grateful for this broader effort to aid our food assistance network and the front-facing work our district teams are already engaged in.”
While state action moves forward, Curry’s office continues to lead on-the-ground efforts to ensure families in her district are supported. Through her Standing in the Gap Initiative, her team is coordinating with Philabundance, SHARE Food Program, and local pantries to deliver food, diapers, and essential items directly to those in need.
Curry’s office is also serving as a community collection site, accepting nonperishable food, diapers and menstrual products for distribution through local charities.
Donations may be dropped off at:164th Legislative District Office
District Office: 1500 Garrett Road, Suite 2G, Upper Darby, PA 19082
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
“Our communities are strong, but strength alone cannot fill an empty plate,” Curry said. “We are called to stand in the gap for one another to act with compassion, urgency and unity. This is what leadership looks like, and this is what love in action means.”