No One in a State of Agricultural Abundance Should Go Hungry
With pending federal cuts to hunger programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a stalled negotiation on an updated Farm Bill, and continued inflation of food and housing costs, more and more Pennsylvanians are experiencing food insecurity. Pennsylvania cannot make up the entire gap of funding left by congressional budget cuts, but we can make a significant investment in proven programs that help those in need, our farmers, and our food ministries.
Most of our congregations help serve many thousands of Pennsylvanians through the direct service or support of hunger ministries. Many of our pantries rely on food made possible through two of the state's major anti-hunger programs, which are not keeping up with need. Some ministries report numbers three times pre-pandemic levels.
The State Food Purchase Program enables Pennsylvania's charitable food providers, including our congregational and community pantries, to provide nutritious food to low-income families, children, seniors, and others threatened by hunger. Our ministries are stretching to meet the needs of our neighbors, but we cannot do it alone.
The State Food Purchase Program (SFPP) has been one of Pennsylvania's most important anti-hunger programs. But its purchasing power is severely constrained amid chronic underfunding, rising food prices, and increased demand for services from the state's charitable food network. Federal cuts will only exacerbate these constraints.
It is unacceptable that neighbors are going hungry in a state of such agricultural abundance. It is time to end shortfalls and adequately fund SFPP at a level of at least $24.88 million in the State's 2025-2026 fiscal year budget. This needs to be IN ADDITION TO at least $9 million for the Pa. Agricultural Surplus System, which allows PA farmers to direct high-quality surplus product that would otherwise go to waste, into the charitable food system.
(Note that in previous budgets, these two programs were combined into one line item. They have been separated out this year to provide more transparency and clarity.)
Please alert your lawmakers to the need our ministries are witnessing first-hand and urge them to act. Even when federal politicians play games with budget cuts, the church sees the needs of our neighbors.
Your letter will be most effective if you take a moment to personalize your message and the headline of your email. If you are active with a hunger ministry, we encourage you to invite your lawmakers to contact you or visit to learn more.
You can read stories from some of our hunger ministries around Pennsylvania, learn more about hunger in PA and how we can alleviate it.
Thank you for your advocacy!
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[Posted: 5/21/2025]
