Philadelphia, PA – Today, Governor Josh Shapiro joined WMMR’s Preston & Steve Show and volunteers in South Philadelphia to support Camp Out for Hunger — the nation’s largest single-location food drive benefiting Philabundance and families across the Greater Philadelphia region. Governor Shapiro has participated in the event each year since taking office.
While on air, Governor Shapiro highlighted his Administration’s work to protect Pennsylvania SNAP recipients. Earlier this morning, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) announced that the Shapiro Administration has successfully issued all November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits less than 36 hours after the end of the federal government shutdown. Those critical funds are now available for nearly two million Pennsylvania SNAP recipients.
“At a time when too many families are struggling to put food on the table, we are showing that we care for our neighbors here in Pennsylvania and we are going to deliver for them,” said Governor Shapiro. “The budget I signed earlier this week invests a historic amount of state funding in food security and agriculture — supporting farmers, expanding access to fresh food, and building stronger, healthier communities. Events like Camp Out for Hunger show why these investments matter: behind every meal is a family, a neighbor, a Pennsylvanian who deserves our support.”
In recent weeks, Governor Shapiro and his Administration have taken swift action to protect food access for Pennsylvanians impacted by the federal shutdown — signing a disaster declaration, directing $5 million in state funding to Feeding Pennsylvania’s network of food banks to support the nearly two million residents who rely on SNAP, and launching the SNAP Emergency Relief Fund, which has already raised more than $2 million in private donations to strengthen the Commonwealth’s charitable food network. The Governor joined 24 other states and Washington, D.C. in successfully suing the Trump Administration for unlawfully suspending SNAP payments and failing to use billions in Congressionally approved contingency funds available to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Now in its 28th year, Camp Out for Hunger unites Philabundance, WMMR, and volunteers to support families in need. This year, Philabundance has delivered 52 million pounds of food — 39 million meals — produced hundreds of thousands of meals for seniors and community sites, provided 240,000 summer meals for kids, and distributed more than 15 million pounds of fresh produce across its service area.
Governor Shapiro’s 2025–26 budget builds on that work and delivers major investments to combat hunger, strengthen the charitable food network, and support Pennsylvania farmers. Agriculture is a key driver of Pennsylvania’s economy, supporting more than 600,000 jobs and contributing $132 billion annually. This year’s budget reinforces both agriculture and food security, helping farmers, families, and communities thrive.
Food Security Investments in the 2025–26 Budget
This budget includes an $11 million increase for food security, including:
- $3 million for the State Food Purchase Program and $1 million for the Pennsylvania Agricultural Surplus System (PASS);
- $2 million for a new state Food Bucks program to supplement SNAP; and
- $5 million in new funding to Pennsylvania food banks.
As a result of these investments, Pennsylvania is committing over $40 million in state funding to combating food insecurity.
The budget also continues to support Pennsylvania’s agricultural sector by assisting poultry farmers affected by high-path avian influenza (HPAI) with testing and flock losses; investing in agricultural innovation, energy, and conservation projects to modernize the industry and attract new agricultural businesses; and supporting a new state laboratory in Western Pennsylvania. These investments ensure Pennsylvania continues to lead the nation in agriculture, strengthen the charitable food system, and build the future of farming across the Commonwealth.
Under Governor Shapiro’s leadership, his Administration has advanced initiatives to reduce hunger, expand access to nutritious food, and ensure Pennsylvania remains a national leader in agriculture — building a more resilient agricultural economy, safeguarding the food supply, and securing a prosperous future for the Commonwealth’s farming communities, including:
- Expanded universal free breakfast for 1.7 million students and free lunch for 22,000 students — serving nearly 93 million breakfasts last school year.
- Continued Summer EBT and increased State Food Purchase Program support for children and seniors.
- Filed suit against USDA for unlawfully terminating the $13 million Local Food Purchasing Assistance (LFPA) Program, which supports 189 Pennsylvania farms and 14 food banks.
- Launched Pennsylvania’s first Economic Development Strategy in nearly two decades, with agriculture as a central pillar.
- Launched the Agricultural Innovation Grant Program to help farmers and agriculture businesses implement new agricultural technologies, conservation, and renewable energy innovations
- Invested $1 million to create the Organic Center of Excellence and the PA Preferred Organic™ brand.
- Committed more than $65 million to mitigate Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and support poultry farmers.
- Funded a new state-of-the-art animal health laboratory in Western Pennsylvania.
- Continued the Fresh Food Financing Initiative to improve access to local food and support small businesses.
- Invested $35 million in the Clean Streams Fund to expand the Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP).
Read more about Governor Shapiro’s 2025‑26 budget, view the Governor's remarks as prepared here, or watch the Governor’s deliver remarks here.
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