Raising Awareness About Hunger in Newton

Congressman Joe Kennedy (D-Newton) and Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller joined The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) President and CEO, Catherine D’Amato, at a monthly Mobile Market event at the American Legion Nonatum Post No. 440. This is one of three Mobile Markets GBFB has across Eastern Massachusetts focused on serving veterans by providing them with high-quality, perishable food.

Approximately, 250 veterans and their families walked through the farmer’s market-style distribution selecting from a wide-variety of healthy assortment including apples, bananas, eggs and pumpkins. Individuals that attended the event were able to receive between 30 to 35 pounds of healthy food per household.

While SNAP participation in general is decreasing nationally, participation in Massachusetts has seen an increase, due mostly to the aging population. With two-thirds of Massachusetts veterans aged 60 or older, hunger among this population is poised to increase. Nearly 370,000 veterans reside in Massachusetts, of which 7% (approximately 24,000) received SNAP between 2014 and 2016. To help meet this vulnerable population, GBFB has partnered with community institutions, like the American Legions across Eastern Massachusetts.