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A federal judge on Friday issued a order to ensure that 42 million Americans can continue to receive food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during the ongoing federal government shutdown.

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Under the order, the Trump administration is required to distribute contingency funds to continue food assistance while the case proceeds.

The order follows a lawsuit filed by the National Council of Nonprofits (NCN) with a coalition of charitable and faith-based organizations, small businesses, unions, and local governments as well as attorneys from Democracy Forward and the Lawyers’ Committee for Rhode Island.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture told a federal court on November 3 that it would use a contingency fund to allow states to issue partial benefits through SNAP during the government shutdown. No further information on how this was to be carried out in Pennsylvania was immediately available.

While local nonprofit food banks and pantries are stepping up to fill gaps in their communities, many lack the resources or capacity to meet the overwhelming need.

Residents in the Pittsburgh region who are in need of immediate food assistance can access the following resources:

• Call 211 or text your ZIP code to 898-211
• PA Navigate
• Feeding Pennsylvania
• Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank
• Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh
• United Way helpline
• East End Cooperative Ministry
• Just Harvest
• Pittsburgh Community Services, Inc.

Resources in neighboring counties include:

• Indiana County Community Action Agency pantry locations (Indiana)
• Westmoreland Food Bank (Westmoreland)
• Westmoreland County food assistance (Westmoreland)
• Food Helpers of Washington County (Washington)
• Families Matter Food Pantry (Beaver)
• Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank: Beaver Falls (Beaver)
• Butler County Food Cupboards (Butler)
• The Lighthouse Foundation (Butler)
• Lawrence County Assistance Office (Lawrence)
• Fayette County Community Action Agency pantry locations (Fayette)
• Corner Cupboard Foodbank (Greene)
• Armstrong County Community Action Agency pantry locations (Armstrong)

Those seeking assistance while SNAP benefits are not being paid out should also view lists of Pittsburgh food resources and mutual aid distribution as well as learn about the Pittsburgh Police’s Thanksgiving dinner distribution.