How to Help Families Impacted by Food Insecurity Amid SNAP Crisis

As SNAP benefits continue to face interruptions and uncertainty, Catholic Food Pantries are seeing sharp spikes in household enrollments, with a 32% jump in enrollments across pantries in Brockton, Dorchester, Lynn, and Lowell between September and October. 

“We are distributing bags of groceries at our pantries faster than we can pack them, and for many families, one bag of food per week is simply not enough,” said Kelley Tuthill, President and CEO of Catholic Charities Boston. 

Jonathan Tetreault, Vice President of Basic Needs, said that families who rely on SNAP benefits are turning to food pantries for the first time, while many regular clients are coming more frequently for groceries. Pantries are bracing for even more demand as rising healthcare premiums and cuts to food access programs are straining household budgets. 

Many community partners have stepped forward to support Catholic Charities amid this crisis, including the Greater Boston Food Bank and Catholic Charities USA, who each donated additional pallets of food, United Way of Massachusetts Bay who donated emergency funding through a Rapid Relief SNAP grant, and M&T Bank, who is collecting non-perishable food donations at 44 branch locations throughout Greater Boston during the month of November. 

On November 13, Catholic Charities will launch a Hope for the Holidays campaign to further mobilize community support.

As Catholic Charities Boston’s food pantry staff ramp up operations as quickly as possible to meet the growing needs, here’s how to help:

Ways You Can Help Families Impacted by the Snap Crisis Today

• Monetary donations help close funding gaps. 

• Donating non-perishable food items for our pantries. Please email volunteer@ccab.org to arrange a drop-off time and location. View a Shopping List Here for a shopping list of our most-needed items. 

• Volunteering at our pantries or helping to spread awareness. 

• Donate $20 grocery gift cards for clients (Target, Walmart, Star Market, Market Basket). Cards can be mailed or dropped off to: 

Catholic Charities Boston
Attn: Advancement Office
275 West Broadway
Boston, MA 02127 

If you or someone you know is seeking food assistance, please visit the Greater Boston Food Bank’s Agency Locator tool to find resources in your local community.