Schools working to keep kids fed ahead of looming SNAP benefits shutdown

The largest antihunger program, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, is on course to shut down Saturday.

With grocery prices still climbing and state education dollars stuck in Harrisburg, school districts across the Mon Valley are being pushed to the brink — and now, they’re preparing for another hit.

As the federal government inches toward a shutdown of SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, volunteer led efforts in communities like Charleroi, Belle Vernon, Monessen, West Mifflin and Elizabeth Forward are doing their part to keep students fed.

For many local families, losing SNAP means choosing between groceries, rent, or heat — and schools are stepping in to make sure kids don’t go hungry.

On Wednesday, Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration released a detailed breakdown showing that nearly two million Pennsylvanians— including more than 713,000 children and 697,000 older adults — could lose access to over $366 million in monthly food assistance starting Nov. 1 if the federal government shutdown continues.

Shapiro joined 24 other states and Washington, D.C. in suing the Trump administration for what he called the unlawful suspension of SNAP payments, accusing federal officials of refusing to use billions in Congressionally approved contingency funds to continue benefits.

The impact is expected to be especially severe in southwestern Pennsylvania — and in the Mon Valley, much of which falls within Pennsylvania’s 14th Congressional District, represented by U.S. Rep. Guy Reschenthaler, R-Upper St. Clair.

According to the state’s data, 122,726 residents of District 14 — which includes Fayette, Greene, Washington, Westmoreland, Indiana, and Somerset counties — rely on SNAP.

Unless Congress acts, all of them will lose benefits beginning Saturday.

That includes families in Charleroi, Monessen, Belle Vernon, Elizabeth Township and surrounding Mon Valley communities, where school districts are already seeing a rise in food assistance requests.

“When we get a phone call like we did last week — a family saying they’re not going to be getting food stamps and asking to sign up — we know this is real,” said Kathy Kelly, co-founder of the Bag Brigade in the Belle Vernon Area School District, which provides food bags and family boxes to students in need.

Reschenthaler has not publicly responded to the data released by the Shapiro administration or the multistate lawsuit.

His office has not issued comment on the status of SNAP contingency funding.

In the meantime school officials and volunteers are bracing for impact.

Bag Brigade expands weekend and family support

At BVA, the Bag Brigade operates out of The Hub in Rostraver Township.

The grassroots nonprofit was founded by Kelly and Ashlee Eisengart to provide weekend food packages to students in need.

The program also delivers family boxes when entire households are struggling — especially now.

“We started the year at about 200. We’re at 224 now, and honestly, we look to get higher in the weeks to come with what’s going on,” Kelly said.

Last week, a new family called for help.

“They were not going to be getting food stamps and asked to sign up,” Kelly said. “They were really in need, so we went ahead and got a bag taken care of for the child and also did a family box — canned fruit, soup, spaghetti, sauce, and hot dogs with buns.”

The Bag Brigade is now adding more items to each student bag and preparing for a possible surge in new families.

“When we had COVID, we jumped to 300,” Kelly said. “And I think this is going to be basically the same kind of thing. People that maybe haven’t needed the extra support before are now realizing that they do.”

Donations can be dropped off at The Hub, 1181 Fells Church Road, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday or 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays during packing hours.

Families can also connect via Facebook or through their school.

Charleroi Area: Harvest Bounty responds to rising demand

In the Charleroi Area School District, Harvest Bounty is a weekend food program that provides takehome bags of nonperishable food to K-8 students — and occasionally high schoolers — to ensure they have access to meals outside the school day.

The program has been running for 11 years, but this fall, the demand is climbing fast.

“We are at 268 now,” said Becky Spiker, who helps run the program. “About 210 students at the elementary, 30 more at the middle and high school.”

“In the last two weeks, we had 10 turned in, which usually we are in rock and roll and not getting new requests at this point in the year,” she added. “I feel like it is [because of the threat to SNAP]. I would be worried too if I were those families. They want to make sure they have food for their kids. I get that.

Spiker said all nonperishable items are graciously accepted, but affordable options for those who want to help, like chicken flavored Ramen noodles can go a long way.

“It’s affordable, easy to prepare and it’s something we ask for a lot for those reasons, especially now when we are trying to collect more, and know everyone is struggling, even those who want to help,” she said.

Donations can be dropped off at the elementary center.

West Mifflin: School-run pantries and student-led drives

West Mifflin Area School District offers free breakfast and lunch to all students under the USDA’s Community Eligibility Provision — a vital resource as SNAP support falters.

But district leaders are planning to go further.

Food Service Director Kira Rogers is exploring the possibility of after- school meals, with support from the school board and administration.

In the meantime, the district is already operating multiple food programs: The Kind Closet, located at the middle school, provides students with food, clothing, and personal care items. The “Boo For Food Drive” — organized by student council and led by teacher Kyra Reinheimer — is currently collecting donations through Nov. 7.

The Grocery Closet, which opened Oct. 17 at the high school, is a full pantry stocked with dry goods, frozen meat, dairy, canned vegetables, sauces, and more.

The closet is managed by the SAVE Promise Club and counselor Lauren Rowe. Distribution is every Friday.

“You can’t learn when you’re hungry,” said school board member Kevin Squires. “But even beyond that — no child should need to go hungry.”

Monessen: Greyhound pantry preps for reactivation

In Monessen, Superintendent Robert Motte said the district met Wednesday to prepare a response plan — one modeled on what they used during the height of the pandemic.

The Greyhound Family Support Pantry will be reactivated to provide direct food distributions to students and families within the district.

The pantry served as a critical food access point during COVID-19 shutdowns and will now return as a frontline tool in response to the SNAP crisis.

EF: Pass the Turkey campaign starts early At Elizabeth Forward School District, Superintendent Keith Konyk said the district is launching its food initiatives earlier than usual this year, in response to growing concerns over SNAP availability.

The district’s 11th annual “Pass the Turkey” drive — which provides full Thanksgiving meals to local families — is now accepting donations through Nov. 15 at Elizabeth Forward Middle School.

Middle school counselor Crista Scalfari, who founded and continues to run the program, said the effort fed 64 district families last year, including during the height of the pandemic. Students help pack Thanksgiving baskets filled with traditional holiday items, which are distributed through a drive-up pickup system.

Recipients must be current students or have a child enrolled in the district.

In addition to the holiday program, Elizabeth Forward continues to offer free and reduced meal options for qualifying families throughout the school year, along with support programs at every grade level.

Families with questions can contact Scalfari at 412-896-2334 or reach the district directly at 412896-2300.

A difficult year, and a growing burden

Pennsylvania school districts are bracing for a difficult academic year as they work to prepare students for success amid funding uncertainty, according to recent reporting by the Associated Press.

The state’s public-school funding system was ruled unconstitutional last year for failing to provide adequate support to low-wealth districts, and while Shapiro has proposed a $1.1 billion increase for public school operations and instruction, many schools are still feeling the strain of delayed state aid due to an ongoing budget impasse.

The AP reports that some districts have already frozen hiring, reduced programs, or taken out loans to keep classrooms running — a particular burden for rural and low-income communities that rely heavily on state funding.

For districts in the Mon Valley and across southwestern Pennsylvania, the growing food crisis is just one more emergency layered onto a school year already defined by tight budgets and rising need.

In addition to the Associated Press, MVI reporters Sarah Pellis and Ladimir Garcia contributed to this report.