SHARON ,The Mercer County Food Bank has approved an emergency response plan to commit nearly 100,000 meals to its network of member agencies, addressing concerns about increased need due to a federal government shutdown, a state budget impasse and a pending suspension of federal food aid.

The organization’s emergency action comes as the charitable food network faces operational strain in Mercer County. Rebecca Page, executive director of MCFB, noted that pantries are struggling to keep food on their shelves because of the combined issues.

The most immediate concern is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Pennsylvania state officials recently announced that November 2025 SNAP benefits cannot be paid at this time because the federal government shutdown has prevented the

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