A Call for Federal Action: Strengthening Our Communities in Crisis

This week brought some concerning news from Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey. She shared that our state's shelter system is about to hit its capacity limits. This is nothing short of alarming considering our state's history of ensuring shelter for those in need since the passage of the 1983 “right to shelter” law, but state and social services are at a point where they can't promise a bed for everyone. There's also uncertainty about what happens to those who can't find shelter, including how we can work collectively to meet their other basic needs like food and warm clothing. I’m the Senior Director of Operations at Lovin’ Spoonfuls, a food recovery organization, and I can tell you that we, and everyone we know in the social service community, are giving it our all. But we need help…

What's unmistakable is that the social service system, which has been the backbone to the response to homelessness and hunger, is feeling the strain and close to a breaking point. This is not business as usual.

At Spoonfuls, we recover unsold food from stores, farms, and wholesalers to share with local community programs. These organizations, spread from Greater Boston to Worcester County, to Hampden County and all points in between, are stepping up to serve more people, including our neighbors and friends. Some are serving more folks now than they did during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic. They're desperately searching for more food to keep up with the need. Their current sources often come up short in terms of quantity and variety, and many can't afford to purchase the food they need for their clients. As for my team, which specializes in saving fresh, perishable food like fruits and vegetables, we've upped our efforts, with our team rescuing 25% more food compared to 2019. Yet, as of our last count, nearly 200 organizations have applied for regular food deliveries, yet we don’t have the available food to add them to our regular schedule.

For those not deeply connected to the social service world like me, let me provide some context. The pandemic was a tipping point for many families. Some turned to community programs for shelter, food, and assistance for the first time, while others leaned on these resources more frequently. When pandemic relief programs ended, it created a ripple effect, with families still struggling to afford food and other expenses. Food insecurity rates in Massachusetts surged from 8% in early 2020 to a current range of 16-19%. Not everyone has fully bounced back from the pandemic, and with the added challenges of inflation and the arrival of new neighbors, particularly migrant families, the situation has grown even more urgent.

To be clear, hunger doesn't discriminate – it can affect anyone, and I’m not here to point fingers at folks for their circumstances. The strain on social service agencies isn't just about the present challenges either, but they underscore the urgent need for a unified federal response to support families in need, who will continue to struggle without real action.

Massachusetts has long been a leader in addressing poverty, homelessness, and hunger at the state and local levels – and while the news around the state’s shelter capacity is alarming, I’m hopeful we’ll continue to deliver on our commitment to neighbors who need us. But, as I've stressed, this is no ordinary situation.? We need strong federal leadership. Without a robust federal safety net that supports states and empowers people to thrive, we'll keep struggling to overcome these challenges. The social service sector will continue to operate in crisis mode until it simply can't anymore, and whole communities, in every state, will suffer.

Massachusetts Congressman Jim McGovern summed it up well when he said, "We have the resources to end hunger – what we lack is the political will." This lack of will extends beyond addressing food insecurity to housing, healthcare, and other human necessities.

If you're up for it, I urge you to take action today to support our neighbors in need and the organizations working hard to help them:

1. Find out where your elected officials stand on supporting federal safety net programs like SNAP and WIC. Give them a call, express your gratitude or push them to do better, and let them know why it matters to you. Remember, we, their constituents, have the power to influence policy change.

2. As we work to inspire political will, seek out ways to support organizations in your community that provide essential services. Nonprofits can't do it alone; they rely on support from their communities. Spread the word about their work, volunteer your time, and consider making a financial contribution to help them meet immediate needs. Together, we're making a tangible impact on our neighbors and families who need it most but we need your support and action.