Pennsylvania is once again facing a state budget impasse. Vital funding for community-based organizations remains stalled, despite the fact that some of these dollars are federally determined and should be flowing regardless of a state budget. The result? Nonprofits are left waiting, scrambling to fill gaps, and stretching already limited resources while striving to serve the people who depend on them most.

For the public, a budget impasse can feel abstract and far removed from daily life. But for hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians, the effects are anything but abstract. Nonprofit organizations provide services that touch nearly every corner of our lives: housing, food security, job training, child development, senior services, and emergency assistance. When their funding is delayed, so is the support that helps families stabilize and communities thrive.

Community Action Agencies are on the frontlines of this work. With 42 agencies serving every county in Pennsylvania, Community Action supported more than 450,000 people last year alone. These agencies employ over 4,800 dedicated Pennsylvanians, making them not just a lifeline for families in need but also a significant driver of the state’s economy. Their mission is not only to meet immediate needs but also to build long-term self-sufficiency and create pathways to economic prosperity. From helping parents find stable childcare, to preparing job seekers for meaningful employment, to keeping families housed and fed, these agencies represent the kind of investment that pays dividends for everyone in the Commonwealth.

The economic impact of Community Action is undeniable. When families gain stability, they contribute more fully to their communities. When individuals move from crisis to independence, they strengthen the workforce and tax base. Every dollar invested in programs that help Pennsylvanians thrive has a multiplying effect across the economy. Moreover, the 4,800+ Community Action employees themselves contribute to local economies through their wages, spending, and participation in community life. Yet, during a budget impasse, these very programs and jobs are left to operate on uncertainty, patchwork funding, or worse: scaling back at the exact moment demand for their services is increasing.

Let’s be clear: this is not about politics. This is about real people–our neighbors, coworkers, and family members–whose lives are directly affected by the delay in passing a budget. It’s about children who need early learning opportunities, seniors who depend on home-delivered meals, and families striving to break the cycle of poverty.

Pennsylvanians deserve better. Our state’s leaders must recognize that every day of inaction creates hardship at the community level. Passing a budget is not just a procedural requirement; it is a moral and economic responsibility.

We urge residents across the Commonwealth to pay attention, ask questions, and contact their legislators. Pennsylvanians deserve a government that is committed to its people and leads the way forward. If we want thriving communities and a robust economy, we cannot allow politics to stall the lifeline services–and the jobs–that make them possible.

Now is the time to act for the families, seniors, employees, and communities who cannot afford to wait.

Beck Moore is the CEO of The Community Action Association of Pennsylvania (CAAP), which represents 42 Community Action Agencies serving every county in the Commonwealth, working to fight poverty, promote self-sufficiency, and create economic prosperity for more than 450,000 Pennsylvanians each year.