Gov. Maura Healey met with the staff and volunteers at the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts.
Reminder Publishing photo by Tyler Garnet
CHICOPEE — Gov. Maura Healey visited the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts on Nov. 17 to thank staff and volunteers who work around the clock to support community members facing hunger, including those who had SNAP benefits delayed by President Donald Trump.
Many residents faced challenges due to the temporary loss of SNAP benefits that started Nov. 1, and many expressed a fear of when or where their next meal would come from before the government shutdown ended and SNAP benefits resumed.
“I wanted to come and thank the staff, this incredible food bank. Andrew [Morehouse], thank you to you and your teams for the incredible work that you all have been doing,” Healey said. “We’ve had volunteers, we’ve had staff who work at food banks and food pantries all around the state. They have just done incredible work during the last several weeks dealing with the aftermath of President Trump’s cut to food, and in particular, to SNAP.”
Although the government shutdown is over and SNAP benefits have resumed, Healey noted that there already was a food insecurity problem in the country before the pause to the SNAP benefits, and the fallout showed how fragile the situation is.
“We had a crisis in hunger in this country before the president cut SNAP. That crisis is still out there because as we know, grocery prices have not come down, they’re up from a year ago and more and more people face needs. It’s been a challenging time for Americans across this country, including here in Western Massachusetts,” Healey explained.
Before the government shutdown, Healey set up an anti-hunger task force so Massachusetts is well-prepared for a crisis like the state just faced.
“It’s why I am going to do everything I can to make sure any funds flowing from the federal government get out the door as quickly as possible,” Healey said.
The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts saw a 600% increase in the number of calls they received in the last few weeks from people looking for food.
Food Bank of Western Massachusetts Executive Director Andrew Morehouse talked about what he learned during the shutdown.
He said, “Biggest lesson that we learned as predicted is food banks cannot replace SNAP benefits. I can only speak for our food bank, but for every meal that we provide, the SNAP program actually provides seven meals here in the four counties of Western Massachusetts.”
The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts partners with close to 200 food pantries, meal sites and shelters across Western Massachusetts.
Healey also thanked and highlighted the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program, including farmers and local grocery stores, for all the work they did to continue to feed families.
Healey talked to Lorraine’s Board of Directors President Donna Marratta. A few weeks ago, before SNAP benefits were cut, the soup kitchen and food pantry was serving 60 hot meals a day. That increased to over 160 meals a day when SNAP benefits were cut.
Healey talked about stigma surrounding people asking or needing assistance.
“First of all, there is no shame in that. Unfortunately, I think there’s a stigma that people may have or may feel ashamed around needing to ask for help for food,” she said. “This is something that can happen to any one of us. My message for people in Massachusetts is give if you can give and if you need, make sure you ask,”
Healey stated she knows that people still need assistance and highlighted some places people can turn to for help.
The United Way Response fund, which was was set up a few weeks ago, is still taking donations to distribute across the state.
Project Bread is another resource that Healey highlighted. Their hotline is 1-800-645-8333.
In addition, for homebound seniors, there is a program that focuses on senior nutrition and feeding the elderly population. You can reach it through MassOptions, which connects people with the care they need in their community. Their hotline is 1-800-243-4636.
“No one should go hungry in Massachusetts or anywhere in the United States,” Healey stated, “There are a lot of people with needs out there all around our great state, and people who are worried about how they’re going to afford to eat, how they’re going to afford to heat their home, how they’re going to afford to have their kids taken care of so they can go to work. These are real needs facing our Massachusetts neighbors right now. So, if you’re able to contribute to a food pantry or food bank, please do so. Contribute to local organizations that support people in need and families in need around our state.”
