Healey announces $8M in food aid, launches SNAP Resource Hub

Governor Maura Healey on Thursday announced the launch of a new SNAP Resource Hub, as Mass. braces for the loss of federal food assistance beginning Nov. 1. The governor also said the state will double its aid to food banks and pantries next month, advancing an additional $4 million to support residents impacted by the freeze.

The help site — Mass.gov/SNAPFreeze — provides resources for people in need of food assistance and ways for residents and businesses to donate or volunteer.

More than one Massachusetts residents and 42 million people across the country are expected to lose access to SNAP benefits as federal funding runs out due to the government shutdown. Healey called for President Trump to release “billions of dollars” in USDA funds to help SNAP recipients.

“They are your friends, family and neighbors,” said Healey. “Massachusetts is a place where people step up when their neighbors are in need, and I want to make sure that people who need help know where to get it, and that those who want to help know what they can do.”

Healey has said that about one-third of SNAP recipients in Massachusetts are children, 31% have disabilities, and 26% are seniors. Over 5,500 farms and grocery stores also depend on SNAP revenue.

To help address the immediate need, Healey said the state will advance $4 million from the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance program — on top of its usual $4 million monthly distribution — bringing the total November funding to $8 million.

The administration is partnering with United Way to establish the United Response Fund, which has distributed over $1.3 million in the last week to trusted community-based organizations and local food pantries. Businesses with surplus food and hunger relief organizations can register on MassGrown Exchange, a free online service that connects donors with food assistance efforts.

Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline is also available as a confidential resource with over 180 languages for residents experiencing food insecurity at 1-800-645-8333 or visit www.projectbread.org/get-help.