Find A Food Bank In MA As Shutdown Stalls Federal Food Aid

Across Massachusetts, food banks are bracing for a potentially massive influx as SNAP recipients won't see their benefits next week due to the ongoing government shutdown.

Following the shutdown Oct. 10, the USDA sent a letter to state agencies directing them to put an indefinite hold on November benefits.

“Bottom line, the well has run dry,” the USDA notice says.

Despite the claim in the FDA notice, federal judges in Massachusetts and Rhode Island ruled nearly simultaneously on Friday that President Donald Trump's administration must continue to fund SNAP, the nation's biggest food aid program, using contingency funds during the government shutdown.

Related: Judges Order Trump Administration To Cover SNAP With Contingency Funds

The two judges gave the administration leeway on whether to fund the program partially or in full for November.

It wasn't immediately clear how quickly the debit cards that beneficiaries use to buy groceries could be reloaded after the ruling. That process often takes one to two weeks.
The rulings are likely to face appeals.

Related: MA Attorney General Campbell Sues Trump Administration For SNAP Funding Freeze

Beginning Saturday, the agency said there will be no benefits sent to the 1 in 8 Americans, roughly 42 million, that SNAP serves. More than a million Massachusetts residents receive SNAP benefits.

See also: North Andover Surveys Residents On Food Insecrurity

Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell, who joined other attorneys general and governors in a lawsuit against the Trump administration over the funding freeze, said the administration is "creating needless fear."

“Despite having the money to fund SNAP, the Trump Administration is creating needless fear, angst and harm for millions of families and their children especially as we approach the holidays," Campbell said in a media release. "It is past time for the Trump Administration to act to help, rather than harm, those who rely on our government.”

Related: 'This Is A Moment For Coming Together': Gov. Maura Healey Makes SNAP Freeze Donation Plea

Massachusetts has four regional food banks that provide assistance to those in need. Each regional food bank site provides information for local food banks throughout the state:

• Greater Boston Food Bank
• Worcester County Food Bank
• The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts
• Merrimack Valley Food Bank

Call ahead to check when pantries are open and what locations they may be popping up at throughout your community.

Related: MA SNAP Benefits Won't Go Out In November, Officials Confirm

Gov. Maura Healey launched a new SNAP Resource Hub at Mass.gov/SNAPFreeze that includes information on how families facing hunger can get help, ways for people and businesses to offer help, and a new digital map showing how many people depend on SNAP to feed their families in each Massachusetts city and town.

“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 said in a media release. "We are glad that we are able to advance this funding that we secured with the Legislature to help our food banks meet the needs of our communities during this challenging time, and we thank everyone who has already contributed. President Trump needs to release the billions of dollars in USDA funds that he is holding back and could use to continue SNAP.”

See also: Gov. Healey Blasts Looming SNAP Benefit Cutoff, Plans For Contingencies

The Associated Press contributed to this report.