Montgomery County Voters Combine Civic Duty with Community Support on Election Day

On Election Day, thousands of Montgomery County residents exercised their right to vote, achieving a remarkable 49.79% voter turnout—the highest in the Southeastern Pennsylvania region for a municipal election. ([montgomerycountypa.gov](https://www.montgomerycountypa.gov/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/4826?utm_source=openai))

However, their civic engagement extended beyond casting ballots. In response to the ongoing federal government shutdown—the longest in U.S. history—voters brought an abundance of nonperishable food items to polling places across the county. This initiative aimed to support neighbors affected by the suspension of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which had effectively run dry over the weekend.

Montgomery County Democratic Committee Executive Director Chris Thomas expressed his amazement at the community's generosity. “The response is so overwhelming that we haven’t been able to quantify the full impact yet,” he said.

The government shutdown has left many residents in a precarious position. While a federal judge recently ruled that the administration must use contingency funds for benefits, Montgomery County Commissioners’ Vice Chairwoman Jamila Winder voiced concern for those impacted by the stalemate and uncertainty. “These are parents, these are seniors, these are working people, and most importantly, children, our neighbors, who are already doing everything they can to make ends meet,” she stated during an October 23 board meeting.

In response, the county commissioners designated $500,000 in emergency food assistance. Additionally, Thomas saw an opportunity to engage with voters outside polling places and solicit food donations, leading to the launch of “Operation Feeding Hope.” “It just kind of caught like wildfire,” Thomas remarked, emphasizing that the initiative “showed that our neighbors and members in the community want to get out and do something good for their fellow neighbors.”

Items donated included baking ingredients, canned goods, cereal, fruit and applesauce, granola bars, pasta, soup, tomato sauce, as well as paper towels and hygiene products. Boxes were situated at tables outside polling places throughout Montgomery County.

Cathleen Pagano, a candidate for Lower Gwynedd Township auditor, expressed her hope for the initiative's success. “I’m hoping this whole box gets full and somebody else gives me a box, and I get to be able to fill that,” she said. Pagano noted that numerous people donated throughout the day at the polling place outside the Wissahickon School District administration building in Lower Gwynedd Township.

Each of the Montgomery County Democratic Committee’s local committees selected a food pantry for the donations, including the Patrician Society, Martha’s Choice Marketplace, and Mattie Dixon Community Cupboard. Referring to the Ambler-based Mattie Dixon Community Cupboard, Pagano stressed, “They’re constantly inundated with people over there” as rising costs of living contribute to increased need.

Laura Smith, a Norristown resident and secretary of the George Washington Carver Community Center board, emphasized that “every little bit helps” with respect to an initiative like this. She reported that between five and ten people brought donations to the polling place outside the Eisenhower Science and Technology Leadership Academy in Norristown. “I’m hoping that they realize that we’re here for them,” Smith said, stressing that “Norristown’s got you. We’ve got your back and try to do the best job we can.”

According to 2023 figures from Feeding America, around 85,000 people reportedly experience food insecurity in Montgomery County. Nearly 2 million Pennsylvanians are “at risk of losing SNAP benefits,” including approximately 63,000 people in Montgomery County.

Area residents raised concerns over the lack of resources heading into the Thanksgiving holiday. “People need, and you don’t realize how many older people depend on their SNAP benefits that they’re now not going to get. So how can we feed them? Here’s one way,” Smith said.

While it’s unclear exactly how much food was collected, Thomas highlighted efforts where between 2,000 and 3,000 pounds of food were gathered. At the committee headquarters in Norristown, 178 boxes of food were assembled in Horsham Township, and 288 pounds of food were collected in Upper Frederick Township. “It was a Democratic party-driven initiative, but the community members itself, it cut across party lines,” Thomas said. “We had overwhelming support from everyone, and I am just really entirely grateful to all of our communities for stepping up to the plate.”

Organizers underscored that the collection effort was not partisan in nature. “I know that in Horsham Township, the local committees coordinated together,” Thomas said, referring to the county’s Democratic and Republican committees, but noted “it really just depended on the municipality.” Boxes were labeled “for our neighbors” as distribution efforts are expected to continue throughout the week.

“I think it’s just neighbors helping neighbors, and it’s not about which party or whatever, because I … don’t care if you’re a Republican, Democrat, or Independent, donate food because there are people in need,” Pagano said. “We’re not trying to make it a political thing when it comes down to the food, but we just want to be able to help out, whoever that might be and from whatever party.”

The 2025 off-year municipal election featured a number of judgeships as well as local and school board races on the ballot, resulting in a 49.79% voter turnout, according to unofficial figures updated early Wednesday. ([montgomerycountypa.gov](https://www.montgomerycountypa.gov/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/4826?utm_source=openai))

As the dual challenges of the federal government shutdown and state budget impasse bring rising tensions across the nation, participants in the food drive hope it will provide an opportunity for unity. “Maybe it’ll mitigate some of the divide because we’re just trying to help,” Pagano said.