September was Hunger Action Month, and one Democratic candidate for governor has something to say about that.

In a press release, Katie McGinty demanded more funding to the state’s hunger program. In the past seven years, the State Food Purchase Program (SFPP) witnessed its donations from the Commonwealth dwindle from $24 million to $17 million. This drop came at a time when both demand for food stamps and food prices increased.

The former state secretary gathered her data from the Department of Agriculture’s budget.

McGinty claims that “too many Pennsylvania children go to bed hungry.” Her campaign states that the number of children who face hunger is 560,000. In total, 1.9 million Pennsylvanians face hunger in 2013. She would restore funding that has been lost during the recession.

“Pennsylvania’s poor economy and high joblessness have produced an increase in hunger among working families, children and seniors. As governor, I would increase support for the State Food Purchase Program so Pennsylvania families, especially our children, don’t go hungry.”

Another effort that McGinty, as governor, would enact is an increase in the minimum wage to nine dollars.

“There are still people who are getting out of bed, going to work, but still live in poverty,” said her spokesman, Mike Mikus.