ATLANTA — Award-winning filmmaker and actor Tyler Perry is helping families affected by the SNAP benefit freeze.

Perry donated nearly $1.5 million to organizations that provide food resources and support families most affected, a spokesperson said.

The organizations that will benefit from Perry's donations are:

In an interview with People Magazine , Perry said, "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,” the Madea director and star tells PEOPLE exclusively in a statement. “For millions of people, it could mean extreme hunger. For newborns, it could mean a lack of access to formula.”

On Friday, Nov. 7, the Supreme Court ordered to block full payments of SNAP be

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