GREENFIELD — Dina Healy of Greenfield says she’s never seen the line at the Center for Self-Reliance food pantry so long before.
“I’ve never seen the line like this before. I think everybody’s panicking,” Healy said as she and her friend placed their bread, milk and produce in their car.
The unusually long line at the Main Street food pantry comes as residents prepare for the impending loss of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits due to the ongoing federal government shutdown.
If this shutdown persists past Oct. 31 and no spending bills are passed to fund the program, 42 million Americans, including 1.1 million Massachusetts residents, will not receive their SNAP benefits in November. In Franklin County, nearly 12,000 residents will be impacted, and in Hampshire County, 13,000 residents will lose access.
Just after the doors opened at the Center for Self-Reliance on Tuesday, 11 people stood in line, with more people waiting in their vehicles or already inside the food pantry.
Community Action Pioneer Valley, which runs the food pantry, posted on social media about the influx of people, stating that the line for Monday’s food distribution was “down the block,” and that people who’ve never accessed the food pantry before are now in line seeking assistance.
“This isn’t just a statistic. These are our neighbors, coworkers and friends facing an impossible choice between food and other basic necessities,” the statement says about data it shared, outlining that one in four Greenfield residents relies on SNAP.
According to a report from the Department of Transitional Assistance, 11,613 Franklin County residents used SNAP benefits in July 2025.
| Municipality | Number of SNAP users in July 2025 |
| Ashfield | 178 |
| Buckland | 31 |
| Charlemont | 220 |
| Colrain | 205 |
| Conway | 110 |
| Deerfield | 411 |
| Erving | 270 |
| Gill | 157 |
| Greenfield | 4,164 |
| Heath | 65 |
| Leverett | 108 |
| Monroe | 34 |
| Montague | 1,712 |
| New Salem | 80 |
| Northfield | 306 |
| Orange | 2,114 |
| Rowe | 96 |
| Shelburne | 497 |
| Sunderland | 431 |
| Warwick | 106 |
| Wendell | 106 |
| Whately | 39 |
Geoff Naunheim, executive director of the United Way of Franklin & Hampshire Region, said the majority of impacted community members are senior citizens, families with young children and people with disabilities. He added that the benefit suspension could not come at a worse time, as one in every two families in Franklin and Hampshire counties are already grappling with food insecurity, according to a new statewide report published by The Greater Boston Food Bank and Mass General Brigham.
“This is kinda like pouring gasoline on a bonfire,” Naunheim said.
In a statement, Community Action Pioneer Valley added that with the loss of SNAP benefits, more people are going to be relying on assistance from food pantries and meal programs across the country.
“We’re facing a perfect storm,” Frances Hall, director of community services at Community Action Pioneer Valley, said in a statement. “Demand at our food pantries is already high, having increased 30% over the past three years. We will see an explosion of need for food and other basic need items if people can’t use SNAP.”
The Center for Self-Reliance food pantry serves 1,400 people per month, with more than one-quarter (27%) of those being children.
Healy is just one of these Franklin County residents grappling with this impending loss. She said SNAP affords her $200 per month for her food, which she uses in full. With the loss of this assistance, Healy said she’ll need to rearrange how she spends her money on food and other routine expenses, all while Thanksgiving approaches.
Moreover, options are limited on the shelves of the food pantry, and the space is crowded with people, Healy said. Over the last few days, she said she’s used up her benefits from the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) to try to stock up for the month of November. While the funding for this state program was just restored at the end of August, Healy is skeptical.
“Usually, if you don’t use it, it carries over,” she said. “I don’t trust that what I have is gonna carry over.”
Greenfield resident Jennifer Blaies said she is “bothered” by the SNAP cuts during this time of year when families look to come together over meals.
“It bothers me because Thanksgiving brings people together,” she said, explaining how the timing and lack of options impacts the ability to celebrate.
Blaies, who comes to the Center for Self-Reliance food pantry each week and uses SNAP benefits, said she’s also noticed the increase in people there over the last few weeks. She’s worried this situation will only get worse if the government shutdown isn’t resolved.
The need to help
As a result of the suspended benefits, state legislators are urging residents to donate to their local food pantries and food assistance programs.
“Massachusetts residents receive $240 million each month in SNAP benefits from the federal government. These benefits provide food to children, seniors and people with disabilities,” state Rep. Susannah Whipps, I-Athol, said in a statement. “If you are able, please consider a monetary donation or a donation of nonperishable food to one of our many local food pantries.”
“During times of need, our neighbors show up for one another. With the impending loss of food security benefits for nearly 12,000 Franklin County residents, there has never been a more important time to donate time, food or money to your local food pantry or community organization,” state Rep. Natalie Blais, D-Deerfield, said in a statement.
Whately Selectboard member Julie Waggoner noted that if residents could donate money rather than food, it would have a broader impact, as food pantries are able to work with community partners, such as the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, to stretch dollars.
“The best thing you can do is give money to food banks,” Waggoner said during an Oct. 22 Selectboard meeting. “Don’t even donate cans of beans or cans of broth or anything, because the people at the food banks can take your money and stretch it further than you can, and they can use cash to plan meals that are nutrient-dense and lasting.”
In Montague, Town Administrator Walter Ramsey told the Selectboard on Monday that he’s started working with social service and community leaders to get information for people in need, with a webpage dedicated to resources now available on Montague’s website.
“There are already a lot of agencies doing this good work,” he said. “I just want to make sure the town of Montague amplifies it, and that they can go to the town website or Town Hall in the various arms and departments of the town, [so] that they can get direction to where to get food and possible fuel assistance.”
Local social service agencies are echoing the calls for assistance issued by legislators and town officials.
“We cannot wait for Washington D.C.,” Jessica Thompson, director of community
engagement at Community Action Pioneer Valley, said in a statement. “We’re looking to our neighbors to step up right now — before the crisis hits, not after.”
Naunheim said that all year, United Way has been asking community members to donate if they have not done so previously, and increase their support if they previously have donated and are able to do so.
He added that recently, the eligibility requirements for the SNAP program have changed, becoming more restrictive for people who now need to turn to other options.
“If people don’t give, and they have the ability to do so, I would encourage them to consider it,” Naunheim said. “It’s not going to be a one-year thing. Even after the SNAP crisis is solved, food insecurity is going to be an ongoing crisis.”
Naunheim said the best place for people to find out what resources are available is by checking the Department of Transitional Assistance website or by calling the United Way helpline at 211.
On Oct. 28, the 28th day of the government shutdown, federal lawmakers again failed to reach an agreement on a funding bill. The final vote was 54 to 45, with both Massachusetts senators voting against the bill.
Without the 60 votes required to pass the funding bill, the federal government shutdown will continue.
“It’s really scary. I’m almost in tears talking about it because of not knowing how long this is going to happen, how long it’s going to go on for,” Healy said about the shutdown, critiquing actions by President Donald Trump and the development of a $300 million ballroom at White House during the government shutdown.
“He’s building a big, beautiful ballroom that we don’t need, and yet people are going without jobs,” Healy said, gesturing to the growing food pantry line behind her. “People are going to go without food.”
Staff Writer Aalianna Marietta contributed reporting.