Updated: SNAP benefits fate in balance for hundreds of Acton households

Agencies and local benefactors were rallying to lend a helping hand as the SNAP program remained enmeshed in a dizzying battle over the government’s obligation to pay out food benefits amid a federal shutdown.

Open Table Executive Director Alexandra DePalo said the food pantry, which serves Acton and surrounding towns, has seen a sharp rise in demand.

“Normally, we would get about 12 households signing up for our services each week,” she said. On Tuesday, DePalo said 97 families had signed up over the previous week.

As the government shutdown continued, the U.S. Department of Agriculture initially announced that without congressional funding, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program would not distribute benefits. The shutdown is the longest in U.S. history, having reached its 38th full day on Friday.

The holiday season is traditionally difficult, and the uncertainty created by a “lack of expected funds available for food is adding a level of stress that is really hard,” DePalo told The Acton Bridge when asked about the effect of the disruption on families. 

On October 31, federal judges in Massachusetts and Rhode Island ruled that the USDA had to at least partially fund SNAP, formerly called food stamps, for as long as funds remain.

In response to the USDA preparing to cover just over half of the benefits, on November 6, the federal judge from Rhode Island ruled that SNAP must be fully funded in November. After additional back and forth with federal administrators, Gov. Maura Healey announced on social media that the benefits would be paid in full. 

On Friday night, however, the U.S. Supreme Court weighed in, siding with the Trump administration and hitting pause on the court order to pay full benefits in November rather than partial.

In Acton, 262 households — representing 428 residents — received SNAP assistance in September, according to state data.

DePalo said that in more affluent communities, need can be harder to see — but that doesn’t mean that it’s not there. 

“What we find is that in every community, including every sort of generally wealthy community, there are many pockets of people who are really having trouble making ends meet,” she said. 

“It may be seniors who are on a fixed income and whose housing costs continue to go up. … It may be young families who suddenly find that their child care costs are just through the roof.”

Plugging the gap

Town Communications Manager Donna McIntosh told The Acton Bridge in an email that local officials have been in contact with state agencies. 

“No one should go hungry,” she said. “We are committed to supporting our neighbors during this challenging period.” 

The shutdown has also inspired some locals to get involved with support efforts. At Acton’s Colonial Inn, General Manager James Kluge and Restaurant Manager Kathy Green are collecting food to distribute. 

“We’ve already been asked by a couple [of] local places to drop off the items with them,” Kluge said.

In direct response to the SNAP funding cut, The Sudbury Foundation gave $155,000 to hunger relief programs in the area, including $15,000 to Open Table. 

McIntosh said the town Council on Aging is available to assist residents 60 and older with funding, food delivery options, and other assistance applications. 

She also highlighted Community Services Coordinator Bonny Wilbur and Veterans Services Officer Dick Krug as town employees whom residents can contact for help finding assistance.

“Our primary focus is to ensure that all affected residents, particularly our most vulnerable populations, know where to access immediate food and financial assistance,” the town said in a Friday statement posted to the town website that listed additional resources.

DePalo says cuts to SNAP put people into an impossible situation, but community support can mitigate the difficulties. 

“Often we’re talking with people who are trying to decide if they’ll be able to pay an electric bill or go grocery shopping,” she said. “These are really difficult tradeoffs that people are making, and we can make those choices easier.”

Friday, 10:28 p.m.: This story has been updated.

How to help

Places like Open Table* and The Colonial Inn at 48 Monument Square are accepting donations of unopened, unexpired, non-perishable food to help residents facing food insecurity. Here are a few tips:

Open Table drop-off locations: Acton Human Services at 55 Church Street and Crosby’s Market at 211 Sudbury Road. 

Most-desired items: Vegetable cooking oil, ground or instant coffee, tea, salt, sugar, flour, hearty soups or stews.

* Open Table does not accept home-prepared foods, clothing, toys, books, art supplies, or pet foods. For more information, visit opentable.org.