"The farm store Gardening the Community sells locally-grown produce, eggs, and milk, with a special focus on making these items available to low-income residents. When food stamps were suspended during the federal government shutdown in early November, the store gave away eggs and milk for free.
The giveaways were enabled in part by a significant spike in donations, with food pantries and soup kitchens across the Commonwealth receiving a surge of support amid the unprecedented cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, which more than one million Massachusetts residents rely on. In addition to private donations, the state released funds from the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program to support food banks across the state.
With the shutdown now over, SNAP payments have resumed. But thanks to new restrictions outlined in President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which took effect Nov. 1, the governor’s office estimates that over 150,000 Massachusetts residents could see their SNAP reduced or cut. Governor Maura Healey has made clear that the state won’t foot the bill for people who may lose their benefits due to the federal changes. She’s calling for sustained donations to food pantries across the state to address worsening food insecurity. But advocates warn: That won’t be nearly enough."
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| Pantry Elves campaign |
The Franklin Food Pantry is working hard to handle the increased volume and you can help. There are a number of ways to get involved -> https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/get-involved/
You can get up to date with this recent conversation with Marsha, Jen and I ->
