End of Pandemic SNAP Benefits and Inflation Are Driving Increased Need Across Eastern Massachusetts

All Massachusetts residents continue to feel the pinch in their wallet as the dollar simply doesn’t go very far these days. Due to ongoing supply chain issues, high inflation, as well as soaring prices for food and housing – it’s taking a toll. In fact, we are seeing the fastest rise in the cost of food that we have seen in more than 40 years. With no relief in sight, our neighbors face tough decisions – often between food and other basic needs.

To further paint the picture for you. The exorbitant cost of living in Massachusetts, is illustrated in a recent Bloomberg.com article that looked at how far a $100,000 salary goes in various cities around the country. After deducting taxes and adjusting for cost of living for someone earning $100,000 in Boston, it is equivalent to $46,588 in take home pay. That means even those who make a good wage in our state, are feeling the economic pressure. Now, imagine the stark reality for our neighbors who were already finding it difficult to make ends meet and living paycheck to paycheck.

Compound that with the recent end of the extra COVID SNAP emergency benefits which has only exacerbated the hunger crisis. This sudden loss of benefits will impact more than a million SNAP clients in the Commonwealth, many of whom are turning to emergency food assistance programs, putting further pressure on The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) and our network of partners across Eastern Massachusetts.

In response to this historic need, GBFB in partnership with our network of 600 hunger-relief partners are redoubling our efforts after distributing ninety million healthy meals in the last 12 months – serving more than 600,000 people per month. Many of our agency partners are already reporting an uptick in need in March and predicting that this increase will only get worse in the months ahead.

While we are concerned, GBFB remains heartened, and optimistic, because of the continued support from the community and your shared commitment to help our neighbors in need. Together, we will feed Eastern Massachusetts.