If your SNAP (food stamps) benefits stop on November 1, you’re not alone — and there are real, local options to help you feed your family while you get on your feet. Below is a practical, easy-to-scan guide for single moms in Allegheny County: immediate actions, trusted places to get food right away, where to get help re-enrolling or appealing, and tips to stretch resources.

First five things to do right now

  1. Tell Congress to Fund SNAP in November. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has the authority to use contingency and carryover funds to keep SNAP running through November, but it has not yet taken action to do so. (Source) Need help drafting an email? Click here to send MomsRising’s message. Want to contact your Congress members directly? Click here.
  2. Search Single Mom Defined’s resource directory for organizations distributing food. Find information about community events where families can pick up groceries for free. While on the site, be sure to use the chat feature to connect directly to 2-1-1. Also, join the Single Mom Defined Facebook group. Moms are sharing lots of posts about stretching your groceries and neighborhood food distributions. 
  3. Call or text 2-1-1 (PA 211) to get connected to nearby emergency food, pantry hours, and other supports (available 24/7). Text your ZIP to 898-211. 
  4. Check the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank (Pittsburgh Food Bank) distribution for drive-up and walk-in distributions across the county — they run regular community events listed in this calendar. A food distribution event is happening Saturday, October 25th in Wilkinsburg and November 1st in Carrick. Check the calendar for additional locations. You can also shop at The Market, which offers a variety of food from fresh produce, meats, shelf-stable foods and more. Visit the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank website for eligibility requirements to shop at The Market. 
  5. Contact Just Harvest for SNAP help. People can and should continue to apply for benefits while payments are paused so they can receive benefits when payments resume. Just Harvest offers quick eligibility screenings, help completing applications, and case advocacy for people across Allegheny County. If you need immediate SNAP application help or a benefits screener, they’ll walk you through next steps and paperwork. They also run Fresh Access programs at farmers markets. Call 412-431-8960 (opt. 3). 

Trusted local places that regularly offer food distributions

Below are additional organizations that operate pantries, weekly distributions, or monthly drive-up events. Call ahead when you can (hours change seasonally), and bring ID or proof of address if requested.

  • South Hills Interfaith Movement (SHIM) offers multiple pantry locations in the South Hills (Bethel Park, Baldwin, Family Center, etc.) with a monthly distribution calendar and shop-through pantry options. They also provide clothing and other basic-needs supports. Click here to view their calendar.
  • JFCS Squirrel Hill Food Pantry — Open multiple days per week with in-person shopping and appointment options; they serve Pittsburgh neighborhoods and have info online for hours and rules. 
  • Salvation Army neighborhood pantries offer weekly or monthly distributions (produce, boxed groceries, etc.) throughout Allegheny County. Check the local corps’ page for schedules. 
  • Parish and neighborhood pantries like St. Paul Cathedral Parish (St. Rosalia site) operate weekly or monthly food distributions and delivery lists for homebound families. Google a nearby church pantry or ask 2-1-1. 

How to find the right distribution near you (fast)

Practical tips to stretch food resources

  • Bring a cooler for fresh produce, milk or meat if it’s a drive-up distribution.
  • Ask about emergency meal boxes or senior boxes (some programs have senior boxes that continue even during benefit pauses). 
  • Plan pickups with friends or neighbors (some pantries allow a proxy pick-up).
  • Sign up for distribution calendars or email alerts from food banks and local pantries so you know about special holiday or bulk events.

If SNAP stopped because of paperwork or a missed renewal

  • Act immediately — many people keep benefits by completing short forms or phone interviews. Call Just Harvest (412-431-8960) or your county DHS office and ask for help with re-enrollment or an appeal. County officials and nonprofits have been running outreach to help households keep benefits. 

Volunteer or donate (if you can)

If you’re able, donating food or a few hours as a volunteer helps keep local pantries stocked. Contact any of the organizations listed. 

Background

SNAP (food stamps) is a critical resource that thousands of people in Allegheny County rely on to make ends meet. To give you a sense of the scale, this time last year, residents received $31 million in monthly SNAP benefits to purchase food items at local grocers. But right now, that vital safety net is at risk. When the federal government shut down on September 30, SNAP was only funded through October 2025. On October 10, the USDA notified states that there aren’t enough funds to cover November benefits and ordered them not to issue payments until the shutdown is resolved. Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services (DHS), which administers SNAP in our state, updated its website and posted signs in offices on October 17, alerting recipients to the situation. Additional notifications will be mailed soon.