Centering Community Voices to Strengthen Our Work
Each member of the Food Bank’s Community Engagement Team (CET) brings unique insights into the challenges of accessing food and essential resources in their neighborhoods. CET amplifies the perspective of lived experience—navigating real-life barriers to food access, encountering gaps in services, and striving to build a more equitable, nourishing food system for all. This group plays a critical role in shaping how the Food Bank listens, responds, and shapes its policy priorities.
Community Story
“You can do the work. You can be about it.”
The Community Engagement Team’s journey has included hands-on learning experiences and policy engagement, including learning about the Food Bank’s state and federal advocacy priorities and participating first-hand in a Lobby Day at the State House in Boston. There, CET members advocated for increased HIP (Healthy Incentives Program) funding, sharing their personal stories with legislators to underscore the human impact of policy decisions.
Looking Ahead
CET continues to deepen its understanding of food insecurity across Western Massachusetts and is actively exploring grant opportunities to support community-driven advocacy. Their mission: to ensure that every person, in every county, has access to the nutritious food they need to thrive.
The Community Engagement Team is not just part of the Food Bank—they are helping lead the way. Their voices guide our strategies, their stories inform our advocacy, their vision shapes our future, and we’re honored to work alongside them.
CET is not currently recruiting new members. If you are interested in supporting the Food Bank’s Advocacy work, please visit our Advocacy Page >
Advocate
By advocating for policies that address the causes of food insecurity, you can ensure your voice is heard.
Host a Food Drive or Fundraiser
These are an exciting way to bring people together and support the food assistance network.
Volunteer
Join our dedicated team of volunteers and help us make a difference in Western Massachusetts.
Events Calendar
Find an upcoming Food Bank event, educational workshop, or third-party fundraiser in support of the Food Bank.