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.

PHILADELPHIA - The federal government announced earlier this week that it would not be issuing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits on Nov. 1 because of the ongoing government shutdown.

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.

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

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.

Meals on Wheels and the state's Department of Agriculture would also receive money under the proposed hunger relief program.

During the last government shutdown in 2018/2019, which lasted 35 days, SNAP benefits were never paused. The Trump administration allowed state’s to issue combined payments and pre-issue the payments for the upcoming month. After the fact, there was some legal counsel that opposed that method for sending out benefits.

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.