What’s Happening
Since last fall, SNAP has been drastically reduced – nearly 50,000 children (and counting) in Massachusetts have already lost SNAP benefits since last July. As a result, more people and families are turning to local food pantries and meal sites for help.
Today, 1 in 5 kids relies on SNAP, a government program that helps people afford groceries. It’s a lifeline for millions, and it’s incredibly cost-effective – for every one meal the Food Bank provides, SNAP can provide nine. Ongoing cuts to SNAP, combined with a drop in federal food shipments, threaten to overwhelm local food pantries and leave families hungry. Donate now to help the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts meet the increased need.
Make an Impact This Summer
The Food Bank cannot replace SNAP. No food bank can. But with support from our community, we can help bridge the gap for families facing food insecurity this summer.
Every donation helps the Food Bank provide nutritious food through our network of local food pantries, meal sites, and shelters across Western Massachusetts. Your gift today will help us purchase additional food and ensure it gets directly into the hands of people in our communities without barriers or stigma. Help us bridge the food gap this summer.
The Food Bank’s SNAP Stories is a multimedia series centering the voices of people across Western Massachusetts who have relied on SNAP to help access groceries. Their stories reflect resilience, care for family, and contribution — not stereotypes.
These are workers, caregivers, volunteers, parents, and elders doing their best in an economy that increasingly makes it more difficult to get by.
Rosalie Mackey
“When they did cut my food stamps, at first, I went into panic mode.”
Rosalie Mackey has lived in Springfield, Massachusetts for 34 years. In 2025, her SNAP benefits were reduced to just $23 and that has made it much tougher for her to put food on the table. Rosalie served as a member of the Food Bank’s 2024-2025 Community Engagement Team, serving a critical role in shaping how the Food Bank listens, responds, and shapes our policy priorities.