SNAP Benefit Freeze: Swampscott Anchor Pantry To Hold Food Drive Saturday

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — Swampscott's Anchor Pantry will host emergency food drives over the next three weekends amid the pending suspension of federal SNAP program benefits.

The food drives will take place at the Reach Arts Building on Burrill Street at the back door. The drives will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8 and Nov. 15.

• 'This Is A Moment For Coming Together': Gov. Maura Healey Makes SNAP Freeze Donation Plea
• Gov. Healey Blasts Looming SNAP Benefit Cutoff, Plans For Contingencies
• MA SNAP Benefits Won't Go Out In November, Officials Confirm
• SNAP Benefits In Jeopardy In MA Due To Government Shutdown, New Fed Rules
• MA Attorney General Campbell Sues Trump Administration For SNAP Funding Freeze

SNAP benefits are set to be frozen as of Saturday amid the ongoing federal government shutdown.

Gov. Maura Healey and other state and local leaders this week urged the Trump Administration to tap into $23 billion in reserves to keep benefits flowing amid the shutdown. While Trump officials said Democrats had the ability to extend the benefits through voting to fund the government on a temporary basis.

All donations should be new, opened and not expired.

The following items are most needed at the donation drive: canned corn, peas, string beans, mixed veggies, beets, canned fruits, apple sauce, canned soup, chicken broth, beef broth, vegetable broth, canned tuna, canned chicken, shelf-stable milk, cereal, granola, cereal bars, pasta, pasta sauce, macaroni and cheese, beans, rice, coffee, tea, juice and peanut butter.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)