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.

After federal court rulings, SNAP will issue November benefits to over 2 million Pennsylvanians — but at only half the usual amount.

RELATED COVERAGE >>> In need of food assistance? Here are resources across the Western Pennsylvania region Leaders from Pittsburgh area nonprofits said it’s a step in the right direction but will not meet local need and are calling on community members to continue to help,

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has declared a disaster emergency amid the looming SNAP benefits crisis. Shapiro is directing $5 million to Feeding Pennsylvania immediately to help distribute through its network of food banks across the state.

Due to the ongoing government shutdown, Pennsylvania SNAP recipients will not receive benefits that were slated to be paid in November. In a post on the state's official website, the Department of Human Services notes that as of Oct. 16, SNAP benefits will not be paid until the federal government shutdown ends and funds are released to the state.

The donations came from community members who ordered extra on Instacart and had it delivered. Instacart waived fees for those deliveries.

As the federal government shutdown continues through the beginning of November, Gov. Josh Shapiro has activated an emergency relief plan to support food banks and families after SNAP benefits were suspended for nearly two million Pennsylvanians.

The Rev. Matthew Best noticed the emails and drop-in visits began to increase a few weeks ago. The majority of Best’s congregants at Christ Lutheran Church in Harrisburg’s Allison Hill neighborhood struggle to make ends meet.

Pennsylvania’s months-long budget delay and the depletion of SNAP benefits amid a federal shutdown collided last week as lawmakers scrambled to find solutions to help those

It is the second foray by Ms. Garrity into using her office's financial clout to step in when other functions of government are coming up short.

SNAP benefits won't be issued Nov. 1 due to the shutdown. How many people in Pennsylvania get benefits? It might shock you. Here's the breakdown.