Voters in Lower Merion and Narberth brought hundreds of bags of nonperishable items for local food banks amid the reduction in SNAP benefits due to the ongoing government shutdown, writes Denali Sagner for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
According to Daniella Weinberg, director of communications for the Democratic Committee of Lower Merion and Narberth, every precinct in the area received donations, which amounted to between 200 and 300 boxes of food by the end of the day.
“We were overwhelmed by the response,” said Weinberg.
Approximately 63,000 residents of Montgomery County depend on SNAP benefits. President Donald Trump’s administration has been ordered by the courts to use contingency funds to provide SNAP payments during the current government shutdown.
However, recipients will only get half of their usual benefits, with delays and confusion regarding the shutdown, leaving thousands of households dependent on food banks and donations.
“It was an important initiative for us because we know that so many in our community are impacted,” said Weinberg.
Starting Thursday morning, the Democratic Committee of Lower Merion and Narberth will distribute the donations to local food banks.
Read more about the donations in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
