Updated: SNAP stoppage to affect hundreds of Acton households

More than 250 Acton households were set to lose food assistance beginning Saturday as the federal government shutdown rolls on.

Area agencies and local benefactors, though, were rallying to lend a helping hand.

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. “We’ve had about 40 in the last four days.”

As the federal shutdown was poised to stretch into November, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that without congressional funding, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program would not distribute benefits.

During previous shutdowns, the federal government tapped into a contingency fund to continue SNAP, formerly the food stamp program.

On Friday, federal judges in Massachusetts and Rhode Island ruled that the USDA must at least partially fund the program for as long as funds remain. However, distribution is uncertain and delays are expected, according to the Associated Press.

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

During previous shutdowns, the federal government has tapped into a contingency fund to continue SNAP, which was formerly called food stamps.

DePalo said that in communities that generally have more funds, 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.”

Filling the gap

Town Communications Manager Donna McIntosh told The Acton Bridge in an email that local officials have been in contact with state agencies as more information comes out about the halted SNAP benefits. 

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

Although new money will not be added to electronic benefit transfer cards, McIntosh said any remaining funds on a card can still be used. The Department of Transitional Assistance, which handles the distribution of SNAP benefits in the state, said that when the shutdown ends, money will probably be retroactively added. 

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 local places to drop off the items with them,” Kluge said. 

Asked why the Colonial Inn started its food drive, Kluge said the hotel has been a pillar in the community since its beginning and “we wanted to continue that tradition.” 

McIntosh said the 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 to help find 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 losing SNAP puts 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. “So, these are really difficult tradeoffs that people are making, and we can make those choices easier.” 

5:32 p.m.: This story has been updated.