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Neighbor News

Food For Free Participates in MEFAP Advocacy Day at State House

Nonprofit advocates for emergency food program

L to R: Alex Gladwell, Jennifer Pectol, Stephanie Tyler Smith, Tim Cavaretta, of Food For Free.
L to R: Alex Gladwell, Jennifer Pectol, Stephanie Tyler Smith, Tim Cavaretta, of Food For Free. (Food For Free)

CAMBRIDGE/SOMERVILLE, Mass. – On April 16, four members of the Food For Free team joined partners like the Greater Boston Food Bank at the State House for a MEFAP (Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program) Advocacy Day. Food For Free met with 12 legislators from the nonprofit’s service area to express gratitude for their support and advocate for the inclusion of $55.5 million in the FY26 state budget for MEFAP, which provides a stable, reliable food supply—supporting local farmers and feeding people with dignity.

Founded in 1981 as one of the nation’s first food rescue organizations, Food For Free serves more than 132,000 Massachusetts residents facing food insecurity and distributes 6.2 million pounds of nutritious fresh and prepared foods annually. For more information, to register to volunteer and to make a donation, visit: www.foodforfree.org.

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