In Support of SNAP Funding and Montco Solutions

HealthSpark Foundation is profoundly disappointed in the decision by the federal administration to pause the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits beginning November 1. Despite the availability of emergency reserves, the federal government has not agreed to access $5 billion in emergency food funding to alleviate this looming public health crisis.  

In an already tumultuous economic environment with prices on the rise, over 42 million Americans, many of whom are children, seniors, and those living with a disability, will be unable to purchase food. In Montgomery County, $12 million a month from SNAP will be on pause, affecting approximately 63,000 residents. 

These are our seniors, our kids in school, and our neighbors.  

Food assistance is not a ‘nice to have’ – it’s a critical lifeline. Everyone deserves to have consistent access to enough food to live an active, healthy life.  Everyone deserves to live free of hunger.   

“It is horrifying to consider that our country is preparing for mass hunger and malnutrition despite having ready access to the resources to prevent it. Our leaders in Washington are failing in their basic duty to provide for the wellbeing of our communities through programs and emergency reserves already approved by Congress,” said Emma Hertz, President and CEO of HealthSpark Foundation. “We call on our elected officials and the federal administration to act now to access funding for SNAP, and to quickly pass a federal budget that adequately provides for every American’s need for quality food, attainable housing, and affordable healthcare.” 

A SNAP stoppage will compound pressure on local food banks which are already operating at a deficit due to federal cuts made to food security programs over the summer. Major Philadelphia-area food distributors like Philabundance and SHARE saw millions of dollars in contracts disappear earlier this year, which had a ripple effect on local food pantries like Manna on Main Street and Neighbors Helping Neighbors on the Main Line, among others. These nonprofits are doing their best to maintain food assistance to our neighbors while simultaneously seeing a surge in the number of people they serve. 

In addition, the ongoing Pennsylvania state budget impasse, now four months past the July 1 deadline, is creating continued uncertainty for critical social services and placing added strain on families and community organizations that rely on timely state funding. Our county government has had to step in, tapping its own limited resources to pay for state-funded services, but this situation is unsustainable for much longer. 

Amid this heightened uncertainty, we are encouraged by our community partners working tirelessly to find solutions to these pressing needs, and we remain committed to doing what we can to align and coordinate funding and advocacy. The Montco Anti-Hunger Network, along with dozens of other food security organizations in the County, are meeting this moment through their advocacy, fundraising, and coordination.

Taking Action

Philanthropy, too, has an obligation to act swiftly in times of crisis. HealthSpark Foundation is taking action in the following ways: 

• This week, we distributed $12,000 from our Rapid Response Fund for Community Power to three food justice organizations that are advocating and coordinating local education on this issue: Montco Anti-Hunger Network, Garden of Health, and SPARK Senior Centers of Montgomery County. Our Rapid Response Fund remains open (see below for details).
• We are working to grant emergency aid funds to the Montco Anti-Hunger Network to support their food purchase program and coordination with food pantries across Montgomery County. 
• We’re working to fast track the distribution of about $130,000 in planned fall grants to food security organizations and will allow for increased flexibility in the use of those funds. 

• We’ve been in touch with grantee partners who rely on state contracts to offer bridge loans or lines of credit through our endowment so they can continue operations during the ongoing state budget impasse. 

• Finally, we continue to serve as conveners and advocates, organizing and mobilizing our philanthropic partners and county government to have timely conversations and coordinated response efforts where possible.  

Our Rapid Response Fund for Community Power

We remain deeply committed to standing alongside local organizations working to protect and strengthen our community during this critical time. 

If your nonprofit is mobilizing to defend food justice, advocate for impacted community members, or uphold the values that sustain our communities, we invite you to apply to our Rapid Response Fund for Community Power. This fund provides one-time, fast, flexible funding support to Montgomery County organizations responding to critical and unexpected, urgent events or external challenges, while strengthening the voice and power of community members. 

All applications will be reviewed as they are received. We anticipate awarding grants ranging from $500 to $5,000. Awarded proposals can expect funding within two weeks. 

Please visit our website to learn more. We encourage you to reach out with your questions before submitting an application by emailing us here. 

To directly apply on our grant management portal, visit this link. 

Standing Together

We know that so many others are stepping up to meet this moment, and commend our county government, our peers in philanthropy, our nonprofit partners, and the generous individuals of Montgomery County who are contributing to this shared effort. While our collective contributions are absolutely needed to blunt the harm that the SNAP stoppage will cause, we must continue to our challenge our elected leaders to fund this critical program, as there is no substitute for government intervention and obligation. 

Thriving, healthy, and equitable communities are possible when we stand together, advocate, and take action. HealthSpark will continue to fight for our neighbors until we realize our vision of a healthy, equitable, and thriving Montgomery County.