A Pennsylvania police officer who was seriously injured on the job is marking a major milestone in his recovery.

Plymouth Meeting police officer Jake Hennessey was released from Penn Presbyterian Medical Center in University City Friday afternoon. Dozens of fellow police officers lined up outside the emergency room, clapping and cheering, as he was wheeled out on a gurney.

“As a township, we’re very happy to hear the news that Officer Jake Hennessey is being released today,” Lynne Viscio, vice chair of the Plymouth Township Council, said.

On Oct. 24, Hennessey was responding to reports of an erratic driver when the driver of a white Mercedes SUV drove straight toward him in the parking lot of a DoubleTree hotel.

Officials said Hennessey opened fire as the SUV approached — it’s unclear if the bullets hit anyone — before the driver ran him over. After the SUV driver left, Hennessey tried to apply a tourniquet to his own leg, but officials said the driver returned to the parking lot and ran Hennessey over three more times.

Fellow officers have been visiting Hennessey in the hospital daily to make sure he never felt alone during his recovery.

“We’re wishing Officer Hennessey continued healing and look forward to the day he’s back with his fellow officers and the community he serves,” Matt West, township manager for Plymouth Township, said. “Officer Hennessey has shown such incredible strength and determination throughout his recovery.”

West praised medical staff at Penn Presbyterian, saying their expert care and compassion were crucial in helping Hennessey heal.

“I just want to take a moment to thank the doctors and nurses who cared for him, the neighboring police departments who’ve stepped in to help, and the community for the outpouring of kindness, prayers,” West said. “Over the past week, it’s been a whirlwind of emotions, and we can’t do it alone.”

Dalton Lee Janiczek, 21, of Lower Gwynedd, was charged with attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault, fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer and other crimes.

Families across Delaware County are bracing for financial strain as a pause in SNAP benefits looms amid the ongoing federal government shutdown. Food pantries are preparing for a surge in demand as residents struggle to put food on the table.

Momilani Miller, a school bus driver and single mother of three from Darby Township, said she typically receives about $500 a month in SNAP benefits. But with federal payments halted, she said November will be difficult.

Resources for SNAP recipients in Philadelphia, New Jersey, Delaware as benefits deadline nears

“It’s a big strain because that’s one thing that I didn’t really have to deal with,” Miller said. “I could pay this bill or pay that bill, but now it’s going to come down to: Will I pay this bill or buy groceries for my family?”

She’s not alone. Thousands of Delaware County residents rely on SNAP to cover their grocery bills. Zahira Bowman, a 17-year-old from Sharon Hill, said her mom’s holiday table will look different this year.

“I think we’re still going to have Thanksgiving, but like, she’s probably going to look for cheaper stuff, like on a budget,” Bowman said. “My mom pays the mortgage and has a car, so she doesn’t have a lot of money to spare.”

Food pantries are feeling the pressure. At Mount Zion C.M.E. Church in Sharon Hill, pantry director Clarisse Smith said shelves are thinning as the need rises.

“We have four volunteers,” Smith said. “We lost eight of our volunteers. They went out and had to get other jobs because their jobs with the government were taken away, so they’re not able to volunteer anymore. So hopefully we’ll get some of the church members to come out and help us out, but it’s really hard.”

 Delaware declares state of emergency to allow state funding for SNAP recipients on weekly basis

Smith said her pantry usually feeds around 70 families a week. Now, she’s preparing to serve up to 100.

“I’m not going to stop,” she said. “The government shutdown isn’t going to stop me from feeding anybody.”

For Miller, this week marked the first time she’s had to visit a food pantry, something she never thought she’d have to do.

“It’s going to be helpful,” Miller said. “My kids will eat it. It will get us by until the government can make a decision on what they’re doing.”

As the shutdown continues, families like Miller’s are relying on faith, neighbors and community resources to get through.

MIDDLETOWN, Pa. (WHTM) — The ongoing federal government shutdown and state budget stalemate aren’t good for anyone, but one generation says it’s suffering more than most.

That’s on top of ongoing affordability issues for what’s known as “Generation Z.”

“Day of Action” events took place Wednesday at six different Pennsylvania campuses as part of Project 26 Pennsylvania, including two in the Midstate.

Tombstones visualized various facets of life and the economy at Penn State Harrisburg.

“A government that listens to us and works for us,” said Aimee Van Cleave, interim executive director of Project 26 Pennsylvania. “So many things that were attainable for other folks are now essentially dead to Gen Z.”

“Rest in peace to your job security, rest in peace to your homes that you plan to buy, because being a homeowner as a Gen Z-er is not going to be easy in any way, shape or form,” said Danae Martin, a Penn State Harrisburg junior.

It’s a way to get the attention of Penn State Harrisburg students rushing to-and-from class.

Martin’s platypus costume is another way.

“People see this and they’re like, ‘What’s that over there?’ and they come,” Martin said. “Then you get that more serious conversation when they come.”

Conversations about topics like what’s sometimes called the “Pink Tax.”

“The pink tax is the idea that there are goods and services that are just more expensive for women than they are for men,” Van Cleave said.

All part of broader affordability issues.

“About how they’re going to be able to find a job when they graduate, how they are going to able to pay for housing and even just basic necessities like groceries and gas and utility bills,” Van Cleave said.

“There’s a lot of people that are frustrated and this event allows people to vent out those frustrations but in a more conductive and progressive and peaceful way,” said Rashide Barro, a junior, helping students write postcards to elected leaders.

Along with Penn State Harrisburg, similar demonstrations took place at Dickinson College, Temple University, Lehigh University and the University of Pittsburgh.