Ahead of public food benefits running out for over a million Bay Staters on Saturday, Gov. Maura Healey announced Thursday that the state will advance a scheduled $4 million payment for food pantries — but is not tapping into the state’s reserves, despite calls from advocates to do so.
Helpful links for residents at risk of losing SNAP benefits:
- Need food? The Great Boston Food Bank
- State resource hub, including ways to support families
Almost every other state in the region has announced it’ll use state funds to cover Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Payment (SNAP) benefits for residents as the federal funds dry up amidst the ongoing federal government shutdown. President Donald Trump can also keep dollars flowing to the program by tapping into contingency funds, but he has said he won’t, drawing ire from Democrats and other critics nationwide.
Healey said her administration will advance a monthly $4 million payment to food pantries for the month of November to help alleviate the extra pressures. Marty Martinez with United Way also announced Thursday that the relief fund Healey set up with United Way last week, seeking private donations, has topped $1 million…