A Message from our Executive Director

Dear Friends,

As you likely have heard, the federal government shutdown has halted SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits as of November 1. The situation is evolving, and while the latest news is that families will potentially receive partial November benefits, for many, this will be too little, too late.

SNAP, commonly known as “food stamps,” is the largest anti-hunger program in the United States. It provides support to low-income households, helping them afford nutritious and essential food. In our service area of Beverly, Manchester, Hamilton, Wenham, and Essex, more than 5,000 individuals – many of them children, seniors, or people with disabilities – depend on SNAP to feed themselves and their families. Without this critical resource, many are turning to Beverly Bootstraps for help.

We are already seeing the impact. In the last two weeks of October, visits to our Food Pantry rose by more than 20%, and our Refrigerated Food Lockers, located in two convenient locations in Beverly—one here at Beverly Bootstraps and another on Dane Street behind Anchor Bay Church, have been full every day. We are hearing from families who were recently able to stretch their budgets with SNAP, but are now struggling to put food on the table.

Amid this need, our community has shown extraordinary generosity. Donations have ranged from $5 to $50,000, and food contributions from a few cans to hundreds of pounds. Every single gift matters. Just as vital are the volunteers, both new and returning, stepping up to help make it all possible.

Together, our staff, volunteers, partners, local officials, and community members are working to meet the need. While we hope the SNAP benefits freeze is short-term, we are prepared to step up for as long as our neighbors need us.

I am overwhelmed by the generosity of this community. In just the past two weeks, we have seen:

• 150+ first-time donors have stepped up
• 25,000 pounds of food (and growing) have been donated
• More than 50 new volunteers have offered their time

With supporters like you, our shelves remain stocked, our doors open, and our community stronger than ever.

With your support, we are able to:

• Tap into additional available resources from the Greater Boston Food Bank.
• Work with wholesale suppliers, like MassGrown Exchange, to stretch our dollars for additional food purchases.
• Closely track demand for our services to anticipate future needs.
• Coordinate efforts and leverage collective resources with the support of community officials and partners.

Here is how you can help:

• Make a financial contribution: Your gift has an immediate impact—helping us purchase food in bulk and respond quickly where it’s needed most.
• Host a food drive: Organize a food drive with your neighborhood, company, school, church group, sports team, etc. Meeting the need will take a collective effort, and hosting food drives pools resources while building community connectedness.
• Volunteer: Join our incredible team of volunteers who keep our programs running.
• Spread the word: Let friends, neighbors, family, co-workers, etc., who rely on SNAP know that Beverly Bootstraps (and/or any other partner organization!) is here to help—without judgment and with compassion.

As we enter this season of giving, please know how grateful we are for your continued support and generosity. Together, we can ensure that no one in our community goes hungry—no matter what challenges arise.

Sincerely,

Allison Caffrey
Executive Director, Beverly Bootstraps