Khan and Colleagues Introduce ‘PA Food Bank and Hunger Relief Program’ to Support Pennsylvanians Facing Food Insecurity
Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski October 29, 2025 | 9:55 AM
HARRISBURG, Oct. 29 – As more than 2 million Pennsylvanians brace for the loss of federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program food assistance unless Washington Republicans act, state Rep. Tarik Khan, D-Phila., and his Democratic colleagues are introducing legislation to use a portion of Pennsylvania’s Rainy Day Fund to help feed families in need across the commonwealth.
Due to the ongoing federal budget stalemate — which will cause 2 million Pennsylvanians to lose federal food assistance this Saturday — and with nearly 150,000 residents already losing access because of new federal eligibility restrictions, urgent relief for Pennsylvania families is needed.
Khan is introducing a companion bill to the Senate Democrats PA Food Bank and Hunger Relief Program, introduced by Sens. Art Haywood, D-Montgomery/Phila., and Jay Costa, D-Allegheny, a proposal to strengthen the state’s food security network amid rising hunger and federal cutbacks.
Under the plan, Pennsylvania would:
- Allocate $50 million to support local food banks across all 67 counties.
- Provide $10 million to Meals on Wheels to deliver meals to older adults and individuals with disabilities.
- Add resources to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture to coordinate and oversee the program statewide.
Khan emphasized that hunger is not only a health issue, but a matter of human dignity.
“As a nurse practitioner, I’ve seen how hunger hurts people’s health — especially children and older adults,” Khan said. “Kids can’t learn or grow when they’re hungry, and older adults shouldn’t have to skip meals to afford medicine. Hunger harms the body and robs people of their dignity. No one in Pennsylvania should have to feel unsafe or ashamed because they can’t afford to eat.”
Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D–Luzerne, majority chair of the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, stressed that the proposal is both a moral and practical necessity.
“Food is not a luxury -- it’s a necessity,” Pashinski said. “Our food banks and local producers work tirelessly to feed our communities, but they can’t do it alone. We can’t allow Pennsylvania families to go hungry. This initiative gives our charitable food system the stability and resources needed to meet this growing crisis head on and ensure every family has access to nutritious food.”
Rep. Emily Kinkead, D-Allegheny, House chair of the Legislative Hunger Caucus, highlighted the urgency of action before the charitable food network reaches a breaking point.
“Our charitable food system, particularly in rural areas, is on the brink of collapse without funding from the state or federal government,” Kinkead said. “With SNAP payments not coming on Nov. 1, people are being directed to their local food banks — but where will they go if those organizations close? If we do not act, Pennsylvanians will suffer irreparable harm. We can continue to debate our budget, but we have to stop playing politics with real people’s lives. Let us help people today and get back to the negotiating table tonight.”
In addition to legislative efforts, Sen. Vincent Hughes will also hold a “People Over Politics” press conference at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, with the Share Food Program (2901 W. Hunting Park Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19129) in Philadelphia to highlight how Republican obstruction in Washington and Harrisburg is worsening hunger across Pennsylvania. The event will call for lawmakers to fully fund healthcare, SNAP and LIHEAP, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, and pass a responsible state budget that invests in working families. Members of the Philadelphia House Delegation will join Hughes and Senate members in standing with organizations like Share Food that are on the frontlines of fighting food insecurity.
Khan thanked Senate Democrats for their work creating this bill and his House co-prime sponsors for their partnership and shared commitment to ending hunger across Pennsylvania:
- Pashinski
- Kinkead
- Rep. Jose Giral, D-Phila.
- Rep. Carol Hill-Evans, D-York
- Rep. Roni Green, D-Phila.
- Rep. Andre Carroll, D-Phila.
- Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freyitz, D-Berks
- Rep. Sean Dougherty, D-Phila.
- Rep. Danilo Burgos, D-Phila.
- Rep. Jim Haddock, D-Lackawanna/Luzerne
The PA Food Bank and Hunger Relief Program will be formally introduced in both chambers this week. Lawmakers are urging bipartisan support to ensure Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable residents are not left behind.