Lower Merion voters bring food donations to the polls amid SNAP benefit reductions
The director of communications for the Democratic Committee of Lower Merion and Narberth said that voters across Lower Merion's precincts donated between 200 and 300 bags and boxes of food.
Voters in Lower Merion and Narberth collected hundreds of bags of nonperishable items to bring to local food banks amid the ongoing government shutdown and reduction in SNAP benefits.
Daniella Weinberg, director of communications for the Democratic Committee of Lower Merion and Narberth, said every precinct in Lower Merion received donations. By the end of Election Day, voters had donated 200 to 300 boxes of food.
“We were overwhelmed by the response,” Weinberg said.
Around 63,000 residents of Montgomery County rely on SNAP benefits. The courts have ordered President Donald Trump’s administration to use contingency funds to provide Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program payments through the government shutdown. Recipients are set to get only a portion of their usual benefits, however, and delays and confusion about the shutdown have left thousands of families relying on food banks and donations.
“It was an important initiative for us because we know that so many in our community are impacted,” Weinberg said.
The Democratic Committee of Lower Merion and Narberth was to begin distributing donations to the local food banks Thursday morning. Weinberg said the committee is looking for volunteers to help transport food, and those who are interested can reach out via the committee’s website.