Billionaires Step In to Help Plug Food Aid Gaps During Shutdown
A volunteer passes out donated food items at New York Common Pantry in New York City on Oct. 31.
Photographer: Adam Gray/BloombergWealthy philanthropists across the country are stepping in to help put food on the tables of 42 million Americans set to lose access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — better known as SNAP — over the weekend.
In San Francisco, the city announced a public-private partnership with billionaire venture capitalist Michael Moritz’s foundation, which is matching city funding with a $9 million gift. The Robin Hood Foundation in New York has contributed $1 million to an emergency fund, while in Massachusetts, real estate developer Bill Cummings’ foundation pledged $1 million to a nonprofit that aims to offset some of the cuts.