BOSTON — “Really this drop of benefits is coming at a time that is just going to be really hard for people,” says Catherine Lynn of The Greater Boston Food Bank.
That’s because right now the costs of food, gas, and energy are through the roof. Now add a $95 drop in SNAP money after the pandemic hunger relief program comes to an end. Catherine Lynn of The Greater Boston Food Bank worries about the timing of the SNAP cuts when donations at the food bank are already down.
“You’ve got inflation where the dollar is not going as far so people aren’t donating as much as we saw at the height of the pandemic, so donations are slowing,” says Lynn.
But the need for food is growing. Lynn says The Greater Food Bank has been serving more than double the amount of people pre-pandemic-a number that could increase as fewer dollars hits people’s EBT cards.
“We’re a little worried, we are going to do everything that we can to meet the need and we just need people to continue to stay with us and support our mission and support the people that are really in need,” says Lynn.
According to the Center on Budget and Policy, a little more than one million people used SNAP benefits in Massachusetts in 2022-that’s 15% of the state’s population. For a single household receiving $281 in SNAP benefits that amount will now decrease to $186 according to mass.gov
“If you are in need of help, we are here to help. If you are in a position to help others, please do that please donate to The Greater Boston Food Bank.”
The Greater Boston Food Bank says it hopes that the governor’s proposed supplemental bill will provide some relief.
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