Responding to the SNAP Emergency

OCTOBER 31, 2025

This Halloween evening, more than 1.1 million people across Massachusetts — including some 18,500 residents of Cambridge and Somerville — are facing uncertainty as the ongoing federal government shutdown threatens access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

This is a crisis of President Trump's making. And it's a failure of the MAGA-controlled Congress to act in the interests of children, seniors, and ordinary Americans in every city and town who are struggling to make ends meet.

The SNAP program has a contingency fund, and Trump has chosen to fund many other priorities during the shutdown — but he has taken the unprecedented step of refusing to keep the program going. He is willing to make poor people go hungry in a shameful attempt to pressure Democrats into accepting the "big, beautiful bill" provisions that will make health care completely unaffordable to millions more Americans.

This afternoon, two federal judges ruled the Trump Administration must make use of the available contingency funds. It is not clear when this will translate into additional funding of SNAP benefits that are set to lapse. The parties are expected back in court on Monday.

This week, I participated in a legislative huddle with Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, Senators Edwards and DiDomenico, House Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities Committee Chair Jay Livingstone, and several other legislative colleagues to discuss our response. I was also briefed on efforts by the Department of Transitional Assistance to prepare for this weekend, and I have been in close contact with Cambridge and Somerville city officials as well.

Also this week, I joined with 158 of my legislative colleagues in signing a letter to President Trump demanding he utilize the contingency fund. And I encouraged House Leaders to consider using state funds to cover gaps in food benefits. While I appreciate it is impossible for the state to match every single cut that comes our way from Washington — I think food is an area where we must backstop the safety net even in the face of federal abandonment.

City of Cambridge response

I have been in touch with City Manager Huang who is coordinating with the Cambridge Community Foundation (CCF), the Cambridge Food Pantry Network, and other partners to offer an enhanced local safety net. The City Council will be asked to appropriate $250,000 from the Federal Stabilization Fund, and CCF has committed an additional $250,000 from its Urgent Needs Fund — a combined $500,000 for immediate food security efforts.

  • Food for Free Food Markets. Food for Free operates free food markets every month at the Graham & Parks, Peabody/RAUC, Fletcher Maynard, and Cambridge Community Charter School. They offer fresh fruits, vegetables, and pantry items. Learn more on the CPS website, here.
  • Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline has counselors available in 180 languages. Counselors can help you find food assistance through other sources. You can click this link or call 1 (800) 645-8333 to access the hotline.
  • The Cambridge Food Resource Guide (available in many languages) contains the times and locations for food pantries, community meals, farmers’ markets, and more.
  • Applications for SNAP benefits continue to be open during the shutdown. The Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) will process applications, and benefits may be distributed once funding resumes.
  • Local SNAP information and assistance is available through CEOC. Visit their website for more information.
  • Residents interested in supporting emergency food access work can donate to CCF’s Urgent Needs Fund, a pool of resources from donors that enables CCF to continuously respond to urgent needs in the community. To give, please visit CCF’s website.
  • Cambridge Community Foundation’s Urgent Needs Fund
  • For a list of Cambridge food pantries, click here.

City of Somerville response

In Somerville, I have been in close contact with city officials, and Mayor Ballantyne is requesting an appropriation from the City Council to support affected residents.

Ways to help in Somerville

  • Give money or gift cards to a local organization. Find a list of local organizations at somervillema.gov/snap. This will have the most impact on households who rely on SNAP.
  • PTAs partner with school liaisons to distribute food gift cards to families. Donate grocery store gift cards by contacting your local PTA by looking up the Community section of the school nearest to you: somerville.k12.ma.us/schools
  • Donate a frozen meal to support homebound individuals who rely on SNAP. Frozen, pre-packaged, store-bought meals are being collected from Monday, November 3, to Friday, November 7. Drop-off at the City Hall Annex (50 Evergreen Ave.) between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. To help ensure food safety, donations will not be accepted outside of these hours.
  • Bring food to your Community Fridge. More guidance at somervillema.gov/snap.
  • Somerville Food Coalition

If you or someone you know needs assistance in a language other than English check out Project Bread's Food Resource Hotline.

At this time, advocates say the most cost efficient way to get people help is to make direct financial contributions to organizations who can purchase and distribute food at scale.

For my part, I will continue pushing for a restoration of food benefits, and for the state to do its part to address the gaps caused by the federal shutdown and other MAGA policies.

Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns on this or any other matter.

Yours in service,

Mike

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