SNAP Delay: Food Resources in Somerville and How to Help

November SNAP benefits could be delayed if the federal government doesn't resolve the shutdown or provide emergency funding. SNAP provides about $212 million each month to Massachusetts residents. Benefits are issued between the 1st and 14th. Both SNAP recipients as well as grocery stores and farmers (who will see decreased food purchases) will be affected.  

If you need food for you or your family, here are some places you can find help: 

• The Food Coalition Website at somervillefoodcoalition.org has a list of free food resources.  
• Our somervillema.gov/SNAP webpage has information on food pantries, community fridges, community dinners and more as well as quick guides in multiple languages for:
  • Food Resource Information (somervillema.gov/foodresources)
  • Food Pantry Calendar (somervillema.gov/pantrycalendar)
• Children in Somerville Public Schools can get free lunch and breakfast at school. 
• People who have SNAP and shop at farmers markets can extend benefits with HIP in November if they have even $1 of SNAP left from October.
• The Winter Market (somwintermarket.org) runs Saturdays starting November 1.
• The Davis Square Market (massfarmersmarket.org/davis) runs Wednesdays through November 26.
• The final day of the Mobile Farmers Market (somervillemobilefarmersmarket.org) this season is Saturday, November 1.

What else to know about the likely SNAP delay: 

• At this time, no other benefits are impacted. WIC, Cash Assistance (TAFDC and EAEDC), School Meals, and HIP are not impacted. Existing SNAP balances won't be affected.
• The possible delay in benefits is separate from the SNAP cuts, which will be rolled out over the next year and beyond.
• Check your SNAP balance at any time by calling the number on the back of your card.
• People can and should still apply for SNAP. 

How long will this last? 

• The Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) is still working to get information about how long the SNAP delay might last. 

If you received a message from DTA that you may not get your November SNAP benefits: 

• Benefits should be issued when the shutdown ends. If you are a SNAP participant, stay alert for communications from the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) about your benefits.  

How to Help: 

If you are looking for ways to help, consider the following ways you can support your neighbors: 

• Give money or gift cards to a local organization.
  • Find a list of local organizations at somervillema.gov/snap. This will have the most impact on households who rely on SNAP.
• PTAs partner with school liaisons to distribute food gift cards to families. Donate grocery store gift cards by contacting your local PTA by looking up the“Community” section of the school nearest to you: somerville.k12.ma.us/schools
• Donate a frozen meal to support homebound individuals who rely on SNAP: Donate the week of 11/3-11/7.
  • Frozen, pre-packaged, store-bought meals are being collected from Monday, November 3, to Friday, November 7.
  • Drop-off at the City Hall Annex (50 Evergreen Ave.) between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
  • To help ensure food safety, donations will not be accepted outside of these hours.
• Bring food to your Community Fridge. More guidance at somervillema.gov/snap.
• Raise awareness about food resources and needs in Somerville.
  • Share out food resources for those who need it:
    • Food Coalition Website(org)
    • The multilingual Food Resources Flyer and Food Pantry Calendar Flyer are available at somervillema.gov/SNAP.

Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact Adrienne Pomeroy in advance at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or apomeroy@somervillema.gov.