We love to see it! Entertainment and media mogul Tyler Perry is donating $1.4 million to Metro Atlanta families and charities that have been impacted by SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefit delays, reductions, and cuts amid the ongoing government shutdown. Today marks day 37.
As a refresher on how we got here: On October 31 — with a looming pause to SNAP benefits on November 1, due to the ongoing government shutdown — a federal judge ordered the Donald Trump administration to use contingency funds for SNAP benefits payments. Trump reacted to the news on Truth Social and said:
“Our Government lawyers do not think we have the legal authority to pay SNAP with certain monies we have available, and now two Courts have issued conflicting opinions on what we can and cannot do. I do NOT want Americans to go hungry just because the Radical Democrats refuse to do the right thing and REOPEN THE GOVERNMENT. Therefore, I have instructed our lawyers to ask the Court to clarify how we can legally fund SNAP as soon as possible. It is already delayed enough due to the Democrats keeping the Government closed through the monthly payment date and, even if we get immediate guidance, it will unfortunately be delayed while States get the money out. If we are given the appropriate legal direction by the Court, it will BE MY HONOR to provide the funding, just like I did with Military and Law Enforcement Pay. The Democrats should quit this charade where they hurt people for their own political reasons, and immediately REOPEN THE GOVERNMENT. If you use SNAP benefits, call the Senate Democrats, and tell them to reopen the Government, NOW! Here is Cryin’ Chuck Schumer’s Office Number: (202) 224-6542.”
By Monday (November 3), the Trump administration backtracked, claiming it would only “partially” fund SNAP benefits. Note, this was after at least two federal judges ordered the continuation of the food aid program. On Thursday (November 6), U.S. District Judge John McConnell Jr., a Barack Obama appointee, slammed the Trump administration for violating his earlier written order.
The prior order gave the government two options for compliance: 1) The administration had discretion to make full payments — which would not need to go through the same administrative hurdles — as soon as practical. 2) The government also had the option to make partial payments, but was required to do so by Wednesday (November 5).
Trump Administration Appeals After Federal Judge Orders It To Fully Fund SNAP Benefits Amid Government Shutdown
However, the Trump administration immediately appealed the decision to the First Circuit Court of Appeals. In its appeal, requesting an emergency block, the White House claimed it only wants to cough up 65% of what’s owed to families relaying on government food stamps.
The government said it will use money from a contingency fund to cover that amount. This was previously proposed earlier this week, with the administration claiming to “partially” pay out SNAP benefits. Meanwhile, Judge McConnell is insisting the government has the funds to fully pay out families.
Tyler Perry Donates $1.4 Million To Metro Atlanta Families And Charities Impacted By SNAP Benefit Delays And Cuts Amid Ongoing Government Shutdown
Amid the ongoing government shutdown, resulting in delays, reductions, and cuts to SNAP benefits, entertainment mogul Tyler Perry, 56, has donated nearly $1.4 million to Metro Atlanta families and charities impacted. According to PEOPLE, Perry dropped a bag to support a portion of the 42 million Americans using SNAP benefits.
The organizations that he’s supporting include: Those include Atlanta Community Food Bank, Baby2Baby, Meals on Wheels Atlanta, Caring for Others, All for Lunch, Ron Clark Academy, and Goodr.
Perry, who’s openly talked about being hungry and homeless, called the loss of vital government food aid “heartbreaking.” He insisted, “Compassion is not political, it’s humanity and we seem to be missing both right now.” He added:
“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. For millions of people, it could mean extreme hunger. For newborns, it could mean a lack of access to formula.”
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A source close to Perry also told PEOPLE:
“Tyler knows firsthand what it feels like to be hungry and homeless. Though he has achieved so much, those feelings never leave you. And when he sees injustices like this he always feels compelled to help. He is absolutely devastated by what is happening to so many people.”
Perry, who’s been known to donate, first moved to Atlanta in the 1990s. However, he claimed he ended up homeless living along Sylvan Road. He’s now one of the world’s billionaires. He has also built his $280 million-worth Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, on the former Fort McPherson Army Base.
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