Food Bank of Western Massachusetts Urges Immediate Action to Protect November SNAP Benefits and Prevent Widespread Hardship 

September 23, 2025

As the federal government shutdown continues with no end in sight, millions of Americans are days away from losing access to the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)—the nation’s most effective anti-hunger program. Without immediate federal action, November benefits will not be issued until the government reopens, leaving millions without funds to buy food. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which administers SNAP, has an existing contingency fund that can and should be used to issue next month’s benefits. Yet the Trump Administration has chosen not to release these funds. If that decision stands, SNAP benefits will not be distributed at the beginning of November. 

“This will be a devastating blow, not only to families who rely on SNAP, but to the grocers, farmers, and local economies that depend on this federal investment in local communities across the country,” said Andrew Morehouse, Executive Director of the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts. “SNAP brings $35 million every month into Western Massachusetts. Losing this economic stimulus for even one month will ripple across every community. The USDA must release contingency funds immediately to ensure people can put food on their tables and local economies can grow.”  

In Western Massachusetts alone, more than 191,000 people depend on SNAP to put food on the table. If benefits are halted, thousands will turn to the region’s food assistance network—including the Food Bank’s 199-member pantries, meal programs, and shelters, as well as its own 75 Mobile Food Bank and Brown Bag: Food for Elders sites. 

Without SNAP benefits, the scale of demand for food assistance will be impossible to supply. “For every one meal we provide, SNAP provides nine,” said Morehouse. “Food banks cannot replace SNAP.” 

The Food Bank is activating its emergency response plan to increase food supply, ramp up direct distributions, and expand deliveries to member food pantries in the region. The Food Bank is also collaborating with other Massachusetts food banks and anti-hunger coalitions to urge Governor Healey and the state legislature to allocate emergency funding through the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program (MEFAP) and to consider using other state resources to cover November SNAP benefits if the federal government does not act. 

“Massachusetts has a proud history of leading in moments of federal failure,” said Morehouse. “We call on our state leaders to step up once again to ensure that no child, elder, or working family goes hungry because Washington refused to do its job.” 

How the public can help: 

1. Call your federal congressmen and senators. Thank them for pressuring the USDA to release SNAP contingency funds immediately. 

1. Donate to the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts or a local food pantry or meal site. Every contribution helps the Food Bank and its partners respond to this crisis. Donations to the Food Bank can be made online at foodbankwma.org or by mail.  

1. Join the 16th Annual March for the Food Bank as a marcher or sponsor, with the largest fundraising goal in the event’s history of $650,000. 

1. Support local grocers and farmers. Buying locally strengthens the local economy.  buylocalfood.org  

1. Share accurate information. Let people know where to find food assistance at foodbankwma.org, and follow the Food Bank on social media for updates.