BOSTON (SHNS) – With 1 million Bay Staters expected to lose public food assistance benefits due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, state leaders and the United Way announced a relief fund seeking private donations to help address hunger.
Gov. Maura Healey said 32% of the residents who will not receive SNAP benefits starting Nov. 1 are children, 31% are people with disabilities and 26% are seniors.
More than one million people in Mass. face food insecurity amid SNAP cuts
“Let me be clear: Neither the state nor any organization here is going to be able to backfill SNAP benefits,” said Healey at a press conference at Nubian Markets in Roxbury, surrounded by nonprofit and anti-hunger leaders.
The governor continued, “I talk to governors all around the country – no states can backfill what is supposed to come from the federal government to families across America, and this is very challenging. Very, very challenging.”…