Current SNAP benefit status: SNAP benefits in Massachusetts will be delivered in full and on time at least through October.
How a Shutdown Could Affect Our Community
A government shutdown could create uncertainty for millions of people across the country, including in Western Massachusetts. Those most directly affected include:
- Federal employees who may be furloughed or required to work without pay
- Active-duty military members and their families who could face paycheck delays and be required to work without pay
If you have been furloughed, you may be eligible for SNAP. Contact our SNAP team with questions, or for support completing an application.
What it Means for the Food Bank and our Region’s Food Assistance Network
During a prolonged shutdown, demand for food assistance is likely to increase. At the same time, the Food Bank continues to experience a sustained high demand for food due to the high cost of living and overall price increases. SNAP cuts recently signed into law by Congress and the White House, are set to take effect beginning in the fall of 2026. These cuts could place more strain on the need for food.
This means more people may need to turn to their local food pantries, meal programs, and Mobile Food Bank sites. With the help of community volunteers, donors, and partners, we will do everything we can to ensure that families and individuals in Western Massachusetts have access to the nutritious food they need.
In 2023, 1 in 7 people—including 1 in 5 children—lived in food-insecure households, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. A shutdown could deepen this crisis at a time when food insecurity rates are already the highest in nearly a decade.
Resources for Impacted Federal Employees
If you or someone you know needs food assistance, we are here for you.
If you would like personalized support in connecting to resources, visit “Food Assistance Navigation” on the 413 Cares website, click “Contact”, and fill out a referral form, or call and leave a message for our Food Assistance Navigators at 413-206-6276.
Mass Legal Services and Senator Ed Markey have also posted resource lists and frequently asked questions about the shutdown.
Our Network of Pantries and Meal Sites
View the directory of our food assistance network, where you can search for pantries and pre-made meals close to you.
Mobile Food Banks
Our Mobile Food Bank brings free, nutritious groceries directly to communities across Western MA. They are open to everyone and require no documentation.
SNAP
Our SNAP team helps people access benefits, and can tell you if you are eligible for SNAP and submit an application over the phone for you.
Our Food Assistance Navigators can help. Visit the Food Assistance Navigation page on 413Cares.org, click the “Contact” button below the green navigation bar, and input your information. You can also call our FAN phone line at 413-206-6276, leave a message with your information, and a Navigator will then be in touch the next business day.
How You Can Help
Meeting this challenge requires all of us. Now more than ever, we need to stand united to ensure that no one in our region goes without food.
Here’s how you can take action:
- Donate to the Food Bank: Every dollar helps provide two meals to families facing food insecurity.
- Volunteer: Support local food pantries in your community and help get food to the tables where it’s needed most.
- Sign up for advocacy alerts: Stay informed about ways you can share your voice.