The Brief

Gov. Josh Shapiro declared a disaster emergency to address the suspension of federal SNAP benefits during the shutdown.

The plan releases $5 million in state funding and launches a private donation drive that has already raised $1 million.

Food banks across Pennsylvania say demand has surged as families begin November without federal food assistance.

As the federal government shutdown continues through the beginning of November, Gov. Josh Shapiro has activated an emergency relief plan to support food banks and families after SNAP benefits were suspended for nearly two million Pennsylvanians.

The move marks the first time in U.S. history that the federal government has stopped issuing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program payments during a shutdown, according to a r

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