As millions of Americans brace for major cuts to food assistance during the ongoing government shutdown, Tyler Perry is stepping in with relief.
The filmmaker and media mogul has donated nearly $1.4 million to organizations supporting families most affected by the reduction of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
Perry’s contribution will be distributed across several organizations working directly in food access and family support, including the Atlanta Community Food Bank, Baby2Baby, Meals on Wheels Atlanta, Caring for Others, All for Lunch, Ron Clark Academy, and Goodr.
In a statement shared with People, Perry emphasized that the issue is not abstract; for many Americans, SNAP benefits determine whether there is food at the table.
“If you’ve never been poor then you may not fully understand the life-changing impact SNAP benefits mean to hard-working people, to our seniors and to our children,” Perry said. “For millions of people, it could mean extreme hunger. For newborns, it could mean a lack of access to formula.”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently projected that up to 42 million Americans may face reduced or suspended benefits due to lack of federal funding. The cuts come as the government shutdown, which began on October 1, has now become the longest in U.S. history.
For Perry, the crisis is personal. He has spoken openly about a childhood marked by instability, poverty, and periods of homelessness, a reality that informs his philanthropy today.
“Compassion is not political,” he said. “It’s humanity, and we seem to be missing both right now.”
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