October 20, 2025 SNAP Benefits Will Not Be Paid to Recipients in November Due to Federal Shutdown PA DHS announced that PA SNAP recipients will not receive benefits that were scheduled to be paid in November due to the ongoing federal government shutdown. As a result, more than 160,000 people in Allegheny County will not receive payments, of which more than 50,000 are children. Read more for county food agencies and resources. Learn More On its website, the state Department of Human Services (DHS) provided an update on October 17 that SNAP benefits cannot be paid in November as a result of the failure to pass a federal budget that caused the shutdown. Benefits will not be paid until the shutdown ends and funds are released to the state, according to the DHS. SNAP recipients will be notified when payments can resume. The department provided links to two resources for those in need of immediate food assistance – PA Navigate and Feeding Pennsylvania – or recommended calling 211. Those receiving SNAP benefits should continue to complete renewals and report changes to income, contact information, or the number of people living in the household. State offices and phone lines remain open and SNAP recipients can still visit and call state offices for help. Additionally, changes mandated by the federal government regarding SNAP benefits will also take effect on Monday, November 1. To keep or become eligible for benefits, people will have to meet work requirements that include working, volunteering, or participating in an education or training program for at least 20 hours per week and report to the DHS that they are meeting these work requirements. 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.
July 23, 2024 Report: Hundreds of Thousands Suffer from Food Insecurity in Allegheny County More than 140,000 people in Allegheny County are struggling with food insecurity, which is defined as a lack of access to adequate food that prevents individuals from leading a healthy life, according to a report by Feeding America. Learn More According to the report, food insecurity is associated with numerous social and health outcomes and is considered a critical public health issue. Key drivers of food insecurity include unemployment, poverty, and income shocks – or, a sudden decrease in a household’s income – which can prevent adequate access to food. A total of 142,190 Allegheny County residents – or 11.4% – were found to struggle with food insecurity, according to the report. Additionally, 44% of county residents were found to be above the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) threshold, while 56% were below the threshold of 200%. The report’s map includes estimated food insecurity by race and ethnicity for select populations and places. The report’s methodology and data are also available. More Details More information on SNAP can be found on the state’s Department of Human Services website. Residents can apply online at COMPASS, via phone at 1-800-692-7462, or at a local county assistance office, which can be found online. Those applying for assistance will need to provide their name, birthday, address, gross income, and Social Security number. Also, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, and Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh are offering food programs to provide free meals for children while they are out of school this summer. The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center operates a walk-in food distribution program every Monday.
May 28, 2024 Summer Food Programs Offer Free Meals for Pittsburgh Children The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, and Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh are offering food programs to provide free meals for children while they are out of school this summer. USDA Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is a federally funded program that provides free meals to children to ensure they receive the same high-quality nutrition when schools are closed. Children, ages 18 and younger, can receive meals through the SFSP. Meals are served at sites located in areas with significant concentrations of children from low-income families. All meals and snacks served through the SFSP must meet federal nutrition standards. The USDA’s Summer Meals for Kids Site Finder mapping tool provides directions to nearby meal sites as well as hours of operation and contact information. There are two types of summer meals sites – eat-on sites, where meals and snacks must be eaten at the location and where children will be able to take part in other enrichment activities with other children, and meals-to-go, where meals and snacks can be picked up to eat off site. This year, there are 17 sites in the Pittsburgh area that are offering summer meals. To find the site nearest you, search the site finder map. Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank The Summer Youth Cafe is a federally funded child nutrition program that provides healthy meals while schools are out for summer. The food bank’s sites are open to anyone ages 18 years and younger at no cost. Once school is out for the summer, those interested in the program can visit the food bank’s website and follow instructions to find the closest site. Schools or organizations that are interested in serving free summer meals to children should email childnutrition@pittsburghfoodbank.org. Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh The library will offer meals and snacks for children and teenagers at six locations on various dates from June through August. The locations include: CLP – Allegheny: Cold lunch offered Monday through Friday from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. (June 24-Aug. 23) CLP – Beechview: Snacks offered Monday through Friday from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. (June 24-Aug.23) CLP – Hill District: Cold lunch offered Tuesday through Friday from 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. (June 25-Aug.23) CLP – Homewood: Cold lunch offered Monday through Friday from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. (June 24-Aug. 16) CLP – Knoxville: Cold lunch offered Monday through Friday from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. (June 24-Aug. 16) CLP – Woods Run: Cold lunch offered Monday through Friday from noon to 1 p.m. (June 24-Aug. 23) Meals are for youths, ages 18 and younger, and people with disabilities up to age 21.
