As the federal government shutdown lingers, food assistance is in jeopardy for about 2 million people across the state.

With the largest anti-hunger program, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, on course to shut down Saturday, school districts are ramping up efforts to make sure children continue to be fed.

At the Jeannette City School District, leaders are trying to ensure families have ongoing access to resources and community support, said community liaison Kiaira Perdue-Jackson. In addition to the Backpack Program, which provides weekend meals for students, the district partnered with the United Way to collect 75 family meal kits.

“Each kit comes in a 13-by-13-by-13 box — about 20 pounds — and includes ingredients for two breakfasts, two lunches and two dinners for a family of four,” she said. “Our goal is to make sure no child or family goes without and to reduce any barriers to accessing help.”

Families who receive SNAP benefits could stop receiving the supplemental money in a week if the government is not up and running.

It will leave the most vulnerable populations struggling with how to spend their income — on food, utilities or other necessities. That includes about 160,400 people in Alle­gheny County, 15,450 in Butler County, 10,290 in Armstrong County and 45,460 in Westmoreland County, according to the state.

“Many people are suffering,” said Lisa Bowden, president of Backpack for Hunger in the Fox Chapel Area School District.

The volunteer group serves about 1,000 students — 25% of the district.

“Childhood hunger is an issue, even in the Fox Chapel area. The district happens to be the most socioeconomically diverse school district in Pennsylvania,” Bowden said.

The impending loss of food assistance has sent her volunteer group scrambling, especially because food bags distributed to students are paid solely through donations.

The group provides weekly bags for children at all five district schools, filled with 15 shelf-stable items, such as soup, mac-and-cheese and fruit cups.

“With food prices so high and government food assistance programs changing or even nonexistent during the shutdown, donations are especially needed at this time,” Bowden said.

Organizers of the Franklin Regional School District Backpacks-To-Go program, which provides needy students with food, will work to increase funding and food donations in the coming week.

Student groups will host food drives while teachers work to raise money, spokesperson Deana Callipare said.

Randal Lutz, superintendent at the Baldwin-Whitehall School District, said leaders will send notices to families who receive SNAP benefits to alert them of their eligibility for free meals to continue through the school year.

Also, the district has established a permanent drop-off for food and hygiene items inside the Baldwin municipal building. Peanut butter, boxed meals and snacks are available year-round to students inside the district’s Purple Pantry.

Gateway School Board member Valerie Warning, who helps organize the district’s Backpack Program, said volunteers are focusing efforts on “trying to get as much abundance as possible.”

“We’ve accumulated quite a bit in addition to what the food bank gives us,” Warning said.

Drop-offs can be made inside the district office at 9000 Gateway Campus Blvd., Monroeville.

Derry Area Superintenent Greg Ferencak said the Rotary Club of Latrobe has stepped up its efforts to fight food insecurity. The group provides about 250 bags of food on Fridays for students at Derry and Greater Latrobe school districts.

Beth Hutson, assistant superintendent at Mt. Pleasant Area School District, said administration is aware of the impact that a SNAP suspension could have on families.

“We will continue to monitor the situation and evaluate any effects and will explore additional ways to assist families, if needed,” Hutson said.

At the Jeannette City district, 75% of nearly 1,000 students are considered economically disadvantaged, according to state data.

Perdue-Jackson said leaders shared with families a list of available resources, including local food banks, meal sites and community dinners throughout Westmoreland County.

“This effort is open to any family experiencing food insecurity or hardship during the shutdown, not just those currently enrolled in our Backpack Program,” she said.

Staff writers Jeff Himler, Renatta Signorini and Patrick Varine contributed to this report.

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