With only a few days remaining in October and the U.S. Government still shut down, dozens of Fall River families will likely not receive their monthly Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits on November 1st. That will put a strain on local food pantries to serve more residents unable to afford food without government assistance.
The Greater Fall River Community Food Pantry holds two food distributions a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 am until Noon, and serves between 900 and 950 families each month. People begin to gather in line outside the pantry’s Nashua Street location early in the morning. Often, pantry volunteers are forced to shut the line for the day before it opens.
Vice President Richard Mancini says it will be difficult for the pantry to meet any increased demand.
Mr. Mancini says the food pantry is an independent operation, staffed solely by volunteers.
Last week, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey charged the United Way to organize a response fund for donations that would help food pantries keep their shelves stocked for as long as possible until SNAP benefits are restored. The United Way of Greater Fall River may be the beneficiary of some of the state-wide donations. They’re also seeking donations locally, which will supplement their growing commitment to the 20 to 25 local food distribution organizations it funds each year.
While bolstering food pantries with additional funding, the United Way is also looking to collaborate with other local organizations to identify opportunities for individuals in need of financial assistance to get it.
So how can residents contribute to the United Way’s Response Fund?
Regardless of how long SNAP benefits may be paused, the pantries remain helpless in trying to do more with fewer resources.
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