On Saturday, Nov. 1, more than two million Pennsylvanians faced losing access to the food assistance they rely on to feed their families. Children, working parents, and older adults on fixed incomes — all left wondering how they’ll put food on the table because Washington Republicans refused to do their jobs.

The federal government shutdown isn’t political theater — it’s a real crisis for real people. When SNAP benefits stop, it’s the dad skipping meals so his kids can eat. It’s the older adult choosing between groceries and medication. It’s my patient who told me she’ll miss rent this month just to feed her son. It’s our neighbors here in Northwest Philadelphia feeling the pain of gridlock 140 miles away in Washington, D.C.

That’s why Gov. Josh Shapiro stepped up — releasing $5 million in state funds to Feeding Pennsylvania to help food banks and pantries keep food on their shelves. And when the Trump administration tried to block emergency federal aid, Gov. Shapiro fought back and won — successfully suing to force the federal government to unlock emergency SNAP funds to keep families fed.

Although the judge’s order will force SNAP payments to go through, it will still take five to seven business days to implement — and the Trump administration can still appeal the ruling to try to overturn it. That’s why this moment is a temporary but critical win for families who can’t afford to wait.

That’s also why I worked with my colleagues in the Senate — including Sen. Vincent Hughes and Sen. Art Haywood — to introduce a bill to fund food banks and Meals on Wheels programs across Pennsylvania. We represent the same neighborhoods, and we see the same struggles every day. We’ve heard from food banks like Share Food Program that are running out of supplies due to record demand — even worse than during the pandemic — from Meals on Wheels volunteers worried they won’t have enough to deliver, and from families whose grocery bills have risen 25% since the pandemic while wages have barely budged.

Our message is simple: If Washington Republicans won’t act to feed our families, Pennsylvania Democrats will.

Our legislation, the PA Food Bank and Hunger Relief Act, invests state dollars to support local food banks, pantries, and older adult meal programs. It ensures that even if federal funding stalls, the safety net doesn’t collapse. These programs are not luxuries — they’re lifelines. And when we support them, we strengthen entire communities.

Food is medicine. As a nurse practitioner, I’ve seen how malnutrition leads to health crises — higher rates of diabetes, heart disease, and hospital readmissions. Every meal skipped today becomes a medical emergency tomorrow. The best way to reduce healthcare costs is to prevent illness in the first place, and that starts with making sure every Pennsylvanian can eat.

Our plan isn’t about politics. It’s about people — and about using common sense. We can either spend millions later on emergency care, or invest now to keep people healthy and fed. For every dollar we put into hunger relief, we save many more in avoided healthcare and social costs.

Northwest Philadelphia understands this better than most. This is a community that steps up for its neighbors — from the volunteers at North Light Community Center, to churches like St. Bridget’s that do weekly “Sandwich Missions,” to countless residents who quietly make sure others have enough. This bill honors that same spirit of compassion, action, and dignity.

We don’t have to accept hunger as normal. We don’t have to wait for Congress to act. Pennsylvania can lead.

In moments like this, leadership means doing what’s right — not what’s politically tolerated. Our older adults, children, and working families deserve more than empty promises and posturing. They deserve action.

If Washington Republicans want to play political games with people’s lives, that’s on them. But here in Pennsylvania — and especially in Northwest Philly — we take care of each other.

Because feeding our neighbors isn’t charity. It’s common sense.

If you or someone you know needs food help, visit pa211.org for local resources and assistance.

State Rep. Tarik Khan is a Democrat who represents Manayunk, Roxborough and parts of Chestnut Hill. On Saturday, Nov. 1, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker also signed an executive order allocating $7 million as part of a $14 million regional effort to support city residents affected by a lapse in federal funding for SNAP benefits.