Boston-area food pantry lines were already growing. Then SNAP disappeared
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While other states declare emergencies over the loss of SNAP benefits, Massachusetts providers are running out of eggs, meat and produce to give to families waiting in line.
Why it matters: Massachusetts stopped short of declaring an emergency and tapping into its rainy day fund to cover the $240 million in lost federal funds to cover SNAP for Bay State residents.
- That's an average of $323 per household this month.
The latest: The Trump administration said Monday it would partially fund SNAP benefits following a judge's order to do so Friday, distributing under $5 billion from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's contingency fund.
- That will cover "50% of eligible households' current allotments."
- The feds won't send funds to any newly certified SNAP recipients, NPR reported.
State of play: Gov. Maura Healey advanced $4 million to local food banks on Friday.
- United Way announced at a news conference with Healey that it raised $1.3 million to share with local food pantries and other groups.
- Food assistance providers urge people to go to local food pantries and call Project Bread's FoodSource hotline: 1-800-645-8333.
Yes, but: Food pantry operators and nonprofit leaders have said repeatedly that without more action, families will go hungry.
Zoom in: The New Sinai House of Prayer in Dorchester ran out of food within 20 minutes of opening its doors Friday.
- Those who lined up early left with cartons of eggs, turkeys, tomatoes, greens and rice.
- At least a dozen people were turned away before noon, while others stopped into the church later to find they were too late.
What they're saying: "As soon as we get it, it goes out," said Pastor Brad Howze.
- His church partners with the YMCA to receive the food donations on Friday mornings to distribute at 11:30am.
- Howze said his church needs more food donations on Friday mornings — they don't have a fridge to store perishable food — and volunteers.
The Roslindale Food Pantry has already seen demand increase this year, serving an average of 140 families on a given Saturday as opposed to 45-50 families a year ago, said Katherine Stevenson, one of the volunteers.
- The pantry has at least two days' worth of surplus supplies, but Stevenson said volunteers worry they'll need to bring in more food to meet rising demand.
- The pantry set up a booth at the Roslindale Farmer's Market on Saturdays this month to collect donations and recruit volunteers.
What we're watching: Some Massachusetts lawmakers are pushing for emergency food funds in a supplemental spending bill.
- Negotiators met Monday to discuss the final terms of the bill, but shared no details about what's new in it.