Dear Friends,
Last year at this time, we were in the middle of a federal government shutdown. Neighbors who depended on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) were anxiously waiting to learn whether they would receive their November benefits. Visits to our Food Pantry jumped by 25% as clients stocked up on shelf-stable items and tried to prepare for what a month, or longer, without this vital source of their food budget might look like.
As an organization, we faced difficult conversations about imposing strict limits on how much food clients could shop for. Such restrictions go against our commitment to client choice and dignity. But as the SNAP crisis grew, we had to consider whether limits might become necessary to ensure everyone who came to us could get enough food to get by.
Then, something incredible happened.
Our community stepped up in ways our team had never seen before. Contributions ranged from a single can of vegetables to a thousand-pound food drive, and from $5 donations from people passing by to larger checks arriving in the mail. It seemed that every neighbor who had a bit to spare found a way to help, and together, we met the need.
The SNAP crisis may no longer dominate the headlines, and the immediate threat of a widespread interruption in benefits has faded. But many of our clients are in a more difficult position than they were a year ago. Federal policy changes have had a staggering effect on SNAP benefits in Massachusetts. Almost 200,000 residents, including nearly 70,000 children, have lost their SNAP benefits over the past year. Meanwhile, families continue to face rising grocery costs and growing challenges putting food on the table.
At Beverly Bootstraps, we’re seeing the impact firsthand.
Our Food Pantry now serves more than 600 families a week. Families who once relied on our programs to supplement their grocery shopping are increasingly depending on us for much of their food. Clients who visited once or twice a month are now coming weekly.
Meeting this growing need is stretching our resources to the limit. The food we purchase to supplement community donations is more expensive than ever, as is the fuel our trucks need to collect donated food. Every week, we work to make sure our neighbors have access to the food they need, but we cannot do it alone.
We need your support.
Last year’s crisis showed us what this community can accomplish when we come together. Today, that same generosity is essential to helping our neighbors through an ongoing struggle with food insecurity.
Please consider a donation today to help keep food on the tables of local families.
Sincerely,
