Press release from the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, dated September 15, 2026

Media Contact: Deb Ondo, Communications and Engagement Manager, Food Bank of Western Massachusetts
debo@foodbankwma.org
413-419-0170

Recognition honors the Food Bank’s year-round work to advance policies that strengthen access to nutritious food

CHICOPEE, MA – The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts has been named to Feeding America’s Advocacy Hall of Fame, recognizing its sustained public education and advocacy to advance public policies that strengthen access to food and address hunger in Western Massachusetts. 

The Advocacy Hall of Fame recognizes members of Feeding America – the national network of almost 200 food banks in every state of the nation — that demonstrate strong advocacy engagement throughout the year. This recognition reflects year-round commitment to advocacy—from engaging policymakers and building community partnerships to mobilizing advocates and elevating the voices and experiences of people in our region facing hunger. 

Advocacy is a critical part of the Food Bank’s mission to end hunger.
In addition to providing nutritious food through nearly 200 local member food pantries and meal sites across Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire counties, the Food Bank works at the local, state, and federal levels to protect and strengthen programs and public policies that help people access nutritious food, including children, elders, veterans and working people who need to learn in school, volunteer, and/or work to contribute to healthy and strong communities. 

“We’re honored that Feeding America has recognized our work to end hunger through policy change with this 2025 Advocacy Hall of Fame award,” said Laura Sylvester, Public Policy Manager at the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts. “We believe that food is a human right and that everyone deserves access to it, without barriers or stigma. We’re pleased to live in a state where our elected officials share those values, so that we can work together to move the needle closer to food equity.” 

Throughout 2025, the Food Bank’s advocacy included fly-ins to Washington D.C. to protect and enhance the federal government’s Farm Bill and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as well as Massachusetts nutrition programs like the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program MEFAP), Healthy Incentives Program, and Hunger Free Campus Initiative.  

“Ending hunger requires both providing nutritious food directly to people living with food insecurity and protecting state and federal nutrition programs and policies,” said Andrew Morehouse, Executive Director of the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts. “This recognition reflects the work of our advocacy team and the many people across Western Massachusetts who speak up, share their experiences, contact elected officials, and help make access to nutritious food a public priority.” 

To learn more about the Food Bank’s public education and advocacy, as well as opportunities to take action, visit our website.  

About the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts: Since 1982, the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts has been a dedicated partner with the community, together, to end hunger. We provide nutritious food directly at our Mobile Food Bank and Brown Bag: Food for Elders sites, and to our region’s food assistance network of nearly 200 food pantries, meal programs, and shelters across Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire counties. We also engage in public education and advocacy to address the drivers of hunger because we believe access to food is a right.