Connecting Our Community to Food – Will You Help?
How many people in our community use SNAP?
Access to food is a basic need that, unfortunately, is not easily met for many people in our country and our local communities. While food insecurity can impact anyone, people of color, immigrants, individuals in the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities, and families with children are far more likely to be affected. 12% of the population of Massachusetts is currently food insecure, with 42% of those people making incomes that are above the threshold qualifying them for SNAP benefits. And in this moment, the government shutdown and political battles over social support programs are increasing the impact of hunger nationwide.
Why is help so critical right now?
The choice not to fund SNAP during the current government shutdown means participants will see reduced or no benefits in the month of November. Additionally, there will be broader changes to eligibility requirements and benefit distribution moving forward once the program is funded again, which will lead to fewer people receiving benefits and less food on the table.
At Metrowest Nutrition and Therapy, we value the dignity of every member of our community and aim to help them meet their basic need of nourishment. We think about the social determinants of health and hierarchy of nutrition needs and recognize that reliable access to adequate food is an absolutely essential need to meet before anything else can come. Children can’t learn, adults can’t work or parents, and communities can’t thrive if basic needs are not being met.
We want to support our communities during this particularly challenging time in two ways:
- Highlight local resources for our clients and community members to access food when they need it
- Support food distribution efforts with food drives and fundraising in-office and online
What resources do we have in our community?
- Project Bread is a hub for resources across Massachusetts, including a hotline that provides direct education and assistance based on your location.
- Regional food banks collect and provide food to local agencies who then distribute it to the community. Greater Boston Food Bank, Food Bank of Western MA, Worcester County Food Bank, and Merrimack Valley Food Bank each serve specific areas of the state and can help you find the right support in your area.
- MetroWest Food Collaborative shows food pantry hours and meal service sites in one convenient calendar. It also provides names and details of organizations grouped by towns they serve.
How can you help?
- Bring an item for the food drives to our Newton and Framingham offices to support the Newton Food Pantry, Daniel’s Table, and WooFridge community fridge in Worcester.
- Most needed items include:
- Pasta sauce
- Canned tomatoes, vegetables, or beans
- Granola bars
- Applesauce
- Shelf-stable milk
- Cereal and oatmeal
- Hearty soups
- Dry pasta
- Vegetable oil
- Canned tuna in water
- Most needed items include:
- Send items directly to pantries from their Amazon Wishlists:
- Contribute funds to virtual food drive via Feeding America.
Reliable access to food is essential. We can all be stronger together when we support our community and help our neighbors meet their needs.
