Gov. Josh Shapiro has signed a disaster declaration freeing up around $5 million to help feed Pennsylvania residents impacted by SNAP benefits set to expire Saturday amid the federal government shutdown.

The money will go to Feeding Pennsylvania, a nonprofit that partners with food banks to distribute food in all 67 counties in the commonwealth.

Feeding Pennsylvania will use the money to help food banks across the state, including Philabundance, one of the largest food banks in southeastern Pennsylvania.

Shapiro also announced over $1 million in private donations, including some from Pittsburgh native Mark Cuban and David Adelman, a partner in Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, the Sixers' parent company, that will go to food banks.

"That also allows us to cut through the red tape and get funds to food banks as quickly as possible," Shapiro said. "The dollars that I've released today will be in our food banks, allowing them to purchase more food for this coming week."

The governor also noted this would be the first-ever lapse in SNAP benefits, impacting around 2 million Pennsylvanians, which is about one in eight residents.

Robin Perkins of South Philadelphia is one of the nearly 2 million Pennsylvanians who won't see their November SNAP benefits Saturday. For her and many others, now is a time to plan.

"I think I wanted to scream, like honestly," Perkins said. "Last time I received benefits was October. I have $30 left that I'm holding on to for the holidays."

While Shapiro said the state cannot backfill those stalled benefits, he feels getting funding to food banks is the best way they can meet the immediate need.

"Pennsylvania cannot possibly fill the gap left by losing $366 million a month, which is the amount of money that goes on individual SNAP cards each month here in Pennsylvania," Shapiro said. "Remember, the feds will not reimburse us if we seek to put dollars on that card. So instead, we are relying on our food banks."

Shapiro said the money will begin being sent out Friday night, and food banks will be able to buy more food next week.

Shapiro's announcement comes as a federal judge ruled Friday the Trump administration is required by law to use contingency funds to pay at least partial SNAP benefits during the government shutdown. The judge gave the administration until Monday to respond.

Pennsylvania joined 24 other states in the federal lawsuit seeking to compel the USDA to use contingency funds to at least partially fund SNAP during the government shutdown, which is in its 31st day.

Shapiro said he's encouraged by the judge's ruling, but with a few buts. He said he expects the Trump administration could appeal and withhold the funds. If they don't, Shapiro said it would take seven to 10 days to get money out to people.

On top of people losing SNAP benefits, officials say they're getting more calls from federal workers who aren't being paid during the government shutdown. Leaders call the funding a first step to bridge the gap, but acknowledge that replacing these benefits will be a tall task.

Meanwhile, New Jersey is speeding up grant funding to food banks and Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer on Wednesday declared a state of emergency, which will allow state funding for SNAP recipients on a weekly basis in the state.

Food banks brace for increasing demands

Loree Jones-Brown, CEO of Philabundance, said pantries are seeing "scared faces and longer lines" as more people seek help.

"This is happening at a time when we're already seeing record numbers," Jones-Brown said.

Julie Bancroft, CEO of Feeding Pennsylvania, said the funds will help food banks distribute fresh, Pennsylvania-grown products such as meat, milk, eggs and produce within days.

Still, it's unclear which organizations will receive the funding. Nonprofits like Chosen 300 Ministries in Philadelphia, which provides free meals for people experiencing poverty and homelessness, say they are already struggling to stay afloat.

Executive Director Brian Jenkins said the organization is running a $12,000 deficit this year as donations and federal funding have slowed during the shutdown.

"We do need help with the dollars as well because we still have to go out and purchase items that we cook and provide for those in need," Jenkins said. "We take care of the grocery programs, but also the hot meals for people who come and sit down to have a nice meal for the evening."

Officials warn that it will take time to restore SNAP benefits — and possibly longer if the Trump administration appeals the court ruling that paused the suspension.

In the meantime, Pennsylvania's food banks are bracing for increased demand as the shutdown continues.