How the Future of Federal Funding Could Impact the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank’s Mission

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has taken action against the federal government due to a halt on crucial grants and loans. Recently, federal courts lifted the freeze, but the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank is still anxious about future fundings.

Every day, 1.7 million people in Pennsylvania struggle with food insecurity. These individuals depend on food banks to meet their daily needs.

The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank has been a lifeline for over 40 years, providing around 48 million meals each year. A significant portion of this food comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). In fact, CEO Lisa Scales shared that the food received from the USDA makes up nearly 20% of their total distribution, which equates to about 8 million pounds annually.

Scales expressed concern about any delays in federal food supplies. She also highlighted the importance of federal funding for local economies. Currently, the food bank spends approximately $130,000 a month buying food from local farmers.

Right now, the food bank is tightening its belt to manage through the month. They have funds secured until March but are uncertain about future support. Scales acknowledged that their operations rely heavily on both donations and purchases. If federal funds are cut, the food bank may struggle to maintain its level of service. “We will need the community’s help to support our purchasing efforts,” she stated.

Scales noted that the Pittsburgh food bank is not alone in facing these worries. Other organizations share similar concerns about funding stability.

For those who rely on government programs like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance and Women, Infants and Children, food is provided directly. The White House has assured that payments to individuals will not be affected by the funding pause, but future budget adjustments could change that.

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