Help restore state funding for emergency food assistance! The joint Massachusetts House and Senate Conference Committee released the Fiscal Year 2010 state budget on Friday, June 19th. It included $12 million - level funding - for the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program. But there is still the possibility that the Governor will veto the budget. We ask you to support your food banks by calling the Governer and urging him not to reduce MEFAP funding in this time of increased need for food assistance. Learn more about MEFAP. Extreme Makeover Home Edition Food Drive June 23-June 28, ABC's Extreme Makeover Home Edition will be on site in Suffield, CT. While in the area, the show is hosting a food drive for The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts and Foodshare in Connecticut. All spectators at the Extreme Makeover rebuild site are asked to bring a non-perishable food item for the food banks.

The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts was voted #1 Non-Profit Organization in the Valley by the Valley Advocate's Best Of Readers' Poll 2009. Thank you for honoring our work to reduce hunger and increase food security! On Thursday, May 7th, the May-Gration celebration at the Blue Heron Restaurant raised more than $21,000 for The Food Bank. Food Bank executive director Andrew Morehouse shares his perspective on the hunger challenge and ways to reduce hunger in the face of economic crisis. Read his recent editorials in The Recorder, the Valley Advocate, and the Berkshire Record in our Pressroom. Watch Hunger in the Commonwealth, a 60-minute program about hunger in Massachusetts. 30 Ways in 30 Days that YOU can help reduce hunger! Check out our other Hunger Action Month resouces to learn how you can make a difference any month of the year.

Get the latest news from The Food Bank
Read about current issues at The Food Bank, our member agencies, program development, and more, in the Winter 2009 issue of The Food Bank's newsletter, Word of Mouth.

Check out recent articles about The Food Bank in our pressroom.

Help advocate for strong public policy that supports food assistance
Food and food-related policies at the local, state and federal levels are critical to preventing hunger and ensuring that all residents in our region have access to adequate levels of affordable and nutritious food to lead a healthy and productive life. Learn about some of these powerful resources and take action.