Governor Maura Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll held a press conference today addressing the immediate impact of the federal government shutdown on Massachusetts families relying on SNAP food assistance.
Gov. Healey announced that over one million residents across the Commonwealth are expected to lose access to food benefits next week, a crisis she says will deeply affect households already struggling to afford groceries.
“They will not be able to go to the store to get the food they need to feed themselves and their families,” Healey said.
“I think about single moms… who next week won’t know how to feed their kids. I was raised by a single mom, and I do not want to see families in this state suffer needlessly.”
Healey emphasized that the loss of SNAP benefits will also impact over 5,500 grocery stores and farms that depend on SNAP spending. She urged immediate federal action to restore funding.
The governor noted that the United Way of Massachusetts Bay has launched a statewide response fund to support families in crisis, and the state is coordinating to deliver additional food to local food banks to meet rising demand.
Where Families Can Get Help
United Way of Massachusetts Bay – Response Fund
Greater Boston Food Bank
Project Bread – FoodSource Hotline:
Local Food Pantry Finder (search by city/town
Said Abdikarim is a visionary business and nonprofit leader with more than a decade of experience in strategic communications, public policy, and civic engagement. His work spans nonprofit, educational, and public-sector organizations, where he has led high-impact initiatives focused on narrative strategy, complex project management, and meaningful engagement with diverse communities and stakeholders.
