CHICOPEE — Recently the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts received notice of its first federal funding cut this year which was that the United States Department of Agriculture canceled some food deliveries to the Food Bank through August, amounting to approximately $440,000 worth of food.
While this loss of federal food represents only 1% of the Food Bank’s total distribution last year, the nonprofit will now need to make up for this shortfall by drawing on its emergency reserves to purchase food.
Reminder Publishing reached out to Food Bank of Western Massachusetts Programs Director Christina Maxwell to talk more about the news of the federal funding cuts.
Although she acknowledged that the loss represents only 1% of the Food Bank’s total distribution last year, she said, “We are deeply concerned about the USDA canceling some of its deliveries to the Food Bank through August, which amounts to approximately $440,000 worth of food we were counting on. We now must make up for the shortfall by drawing on our emergency reserves to purchase food.”
The federal cuts are not ideal but Maxwell stated, “First and foremost, we remain committed to serving Western Massachusetts. While the cuts to food deliveries will impact a portion of our supply, it does not mean we are stopping food distributions. We have enough food to meet the demand, and all of our services continue as usual.”
Food Bank Executive Director Andrew Morehouse talked about the importance of food assistance programs.
He stated, “People turn to food assistance due to high costs for basics like groceries, housing, healthcare, and childcare. When the economy fails to meet people’s needs, the federal government must step in. Now more than ever, the Food Bank needs more, not less, federal support.”
Based in Chicopee, the Food Bank supplies food to 194 local pantries, meal sites and shelters across all four counties of Western Massachusetts. People get food from these local members, the Food Bank’s own Mobile Food Banks, and its Brown Bag: Food for Elders programs.
Maxwell said with high grocery prices, the network is seeing unprecedented demand for food. Currently, an average of 132,000 people get food assistance monthly.
Other ways the Food Bank is attempting to deal with the funding shortfall is by launching a fundraising campaign to raise $500,000 and asking for an increase in the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program.
Readers can visit foodbankwma.org to learn more about the fundraising efforts.
The Food Bank is also closely monitoring potential cuts to the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
According to the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, approximately 194,000 individuals in Western Massachusetts rely on SNAP to help put food on their tables.
Any reduction in SNAP benefits will increase hardship for working people earning low wages and seniors living on fixed incomes, who will turn to the region’s food assistance network, which is already operating at full capacity.
SNAP brings an estimated $35 million in federal support to the region each month. These dollars sustain families and strengthen the local economy.
Grocers, farmers and other food suppliers depend on the stability that SNAP provides to hire employees who live in Western Massachusetts.
Potential cuts to SNAP and other critical federal programs, including school meals, Medicaid, and USDA food assistance to food banks, would have a ripple effect throughout the entire community.
Without adequate investment, not only will individuals go hungry, but the entire food economy, from food banks to grocers to farms, will be severely impacted.
“The federal government should focus on addressing the high cost of living, rather than taking food away from people who can’t afford it,” said Morehouse.
Maxwell said the Food Bank is also working with its federal, state and local elected officials to continue defending federal nutrition programs.
Municipal officials as well as state and federal legislators across Western Massachusetts understand the critical importance of food security to the health and well-being of the communities.
The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts urges the public to contact their representatives and senators and urge them to continue to do everything possible to protect federal nutrition programs and prevent a worsening crisis.
Maxwell stated, “This is a moment for us to come together, as we always do in Western Massachusetts. We urge our Congressional delegation to protect the programs that keep food on people’s tables and money flowing into local businesses.”
She encouraged people to contact their legislators by visiting tinyurl.com/3bhdphmb.
