County Leaders Discuss SNAP Crisis, Assistance with Partner Agencies

Bucks County leadership met this morning with nonprofit partners and Human Services agencies to discuss the impending cutoff of federal food aid dollars.

Some 46,000 county residents stand to lose aid Saturday when funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) ends as a consequence of the ongoing federal government shutdown.

County leadership is exploring options to assist partners through the impending crisis, with the Commissioners expected to consider $200,000 next week in additional funding to providers.

SNAP aid to Bucks County residents totals about $8.5 million each month, according to the Bucks County Opportunity Council (BCOC).

"There is no chance that the charitable food network can fill the gap," said Erin Lukoss, Executive Director and CEO of BCOC, who noted that the system is already stressed.

Exacerbating the crisis is the prolonged state budget stalemate in Harrisburg. In response to the ongoing lapse in state funding, Bucks County has been fronting some $5 million from reserve funds each month since September to keep social services agencies operating.

Also in September, the Commissioners approved $150,000 to BCOC to help fund food pantries, which rely heavily on state funding.

"There are tens of thousands of hard-working Bucks County residents who struggle every day to put food on the table for their families, and failures in the state Senate and federal government threaten to cut off the vital assistance they need," said Commissioner Chair Bob Harvie.

"The County is doing all it can to work with our nonprofit partners to meet the needs of our neighbors, friends and families amid the shortsighted and cruel squabbles in the halls of government," he added. "We will not abandon those who need our help."

If the twin crises bleed into January, the County may need to borrow money to continue to meet these financial obligations. And the fast-approaching winter months, during which many people require additional help to stay warm and housed, threaten to further strain the already stretched system.

The County will continue to work with its partners to provide additional information in the coming days.

Media Contact: James O'Malley, 215-348-6414, [email protected]