Filmmaker and philanthropist Tyler Perry has donated nearly $1.4 million to several nonprofit organizations supporting families affected by the loss of benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) amid the ongoing federal government shutdown. According to People, the funds are directed to groups that serve children, seniors, and low-income working households.

Perry, 56, distributed the donation across multiple organizations, including 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 spoke about the impact of reduced food assistance on families.

“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,” he said. “For millions of people, it could mean extreme hunger. For newborns, it could mean a lack of access to formula.”

Perry described the situation as “heartbreaking” and said, “Compassion is not political, it’s humanity and we seem to be missing both right now.”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced that about 42 million Americans could see their SNAP benefits interrupted due to insufficient federal funding in November, AFROTECH™ previously reported. The shortfall stems from the federal government shutdown that began on Oct. 1, 2025, now the longest in U.S. history.

Judge John J. McConnell Jr. of Rhode Island went on to order the Trump administration to use a contingency fund to cover November’s SNAP benefits, as AFROTECH™ reported. After Judge McConnell issued a new order on Thursday, Nov. 6, for the administration to cover the full amount, it is currently pushing back through an emergency appeal stating it can only cover 65% of benefits, according to CNBC.

SNAP provides nutrition assistance to low-income families to help them afford healthy food. According to People, with funding delays and reductions, food banks and community organizations across the country have raised concerns about rising demand and the risk of increased hunger, particularly among children and older adults.

Perry has previously spoken about his experiences with homelessness and hunger early in his life. A source close to the filmmaker 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.”