Monroeville, PA, October 31, 2025 – State Senator Nick Pisciottano (D-Allegheny) on Tuesday joined his colleagues in the Senate Democratic Caucus to introduce legislation to help Pennsylvanians facing an imminent loss of federal food assistance.
The proposal would appropriate $50 million to Pennsylvania’s food banks, $10 million to Meals on Wheels programs, and $2 million for administrative costs through the Pennsylvania Food Bank and Hunger Relief Grant Program administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. Importantly, funding would be drawn from interest earned on the state’s Rainy-Day Fund, not the principal balance, ensuring that the state’s long-term financial stability remains intact.
“Access to food is a basic human need, and no one in Pennsylvania should have to choose between paying their bills and putting meals on the table,” said Senator Pisciottano. “This legislation is about stepping up to fill the gap while we push for longer-term federal solutions to support working families, seniors, and vulnerable residents.”
Over 2 million Pennsylvanians are expected to lose a combined $300 million in federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits when emergency allotments expire on November 1st. While the state measure will not fully offset those losses, it is designed to provide short-term, supplemental support to community food banks and nutrition programs that will see a surge in demand.
“Pennsylvania food banks are facing a dual crisis with a state budget impasse and the federal shutdown threatening the on-time delivery of SNAP benefits,” said Lisa Scales, President and CEO of Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. “Our charitable feeding network is intended to complement, not replace, federal nutrition programs. With a surge of people coming to us for help in anticipation of a lapse of benefits, food banks and local food pantries need help now. Learn more and give today at pittsburghfoodbank.org and westmorelandfoodbank.org.”
In addition to the grant program proposed this week, Senator Pisciottano, Senator Jay Costa (D-Allegheny), and Senator Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny) are partnering with The Salvation Army of Western Pennsylvania to collect non-perishable food items and monetary donations to stock Salvation Army food pantry shelves in neighborhoods:
WHAT: Non-perishable food items will be collected across seven Salvation Army locations on Thursday, November 6. Monetary donations to support neighbors in need can be made at any time online by visiting salvationarmywpa.org/feedPGH or by texting the word “FEEDPGH” to 31333.
WHEN: Food items will be collected across seven Salvation Army locations on Thursday, November 6 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
WHERE: Food items can be donated at the following Salvation Army locations from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Thursday, November 6.
- Pittsburgh Temple Worship and Service Center: 1060 McNeilly Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15226
- North Boroughs Worship and Service Center: 327 S. Home Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15202
- Pittsburgh Westside Worship and Service Center: 1821 Broadhead-Fording Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15205
- Chartiers Valley Service Center: 39 W. Main Street, Carnegie, PA 15106
- Pittsburgh Homewood-Brushton Worship and Service Center: 8020 Frankstown Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15221
- Steel Valley Worship and Service Center: 104 East Ninth Avenue, Homestead, PA 15120
- Emergency Disaster Services warehouse: 820 Parish Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15220