Makes an East Boston visit to thank the FoodSource Hotline staff advocating for essential hunger relief work during federal government shutdown
EAST BOSTON, Mass. – This week, Governor Maura Healey visited Project Bread’s headquarters in East Boston to thank the dedicated staff and counselors of the FoodSource Hotline – a vital resource connecting Massachusetts residents with food assistance, including SNAP, WIC, and local emergency food programs.
Governor Healey was joined by Erin McAleer, President & CEO of Project Bread, and Khara Shearrion, Senior Director of SNAP Outreach, to recognize the team’s critical role in supporting residents as food insecurity rises across the Commonwealth.
“I was glad to have the opportunity to thank Project Bread staff and counselors who are going above and beyond to help Massachusetts families facing hunger during this challenging time. They’ve worked nights and weekends with no days off as we face an unprecedented surge in need,” said Governor Maura Healey. “I encourage people to continue to support Project Bread and food banks across the state, and to contact Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline if you are facing hunger.”
Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline counselors are working hard to manage a dramatic rise in call volume. To meet demand, the organization expanded weekend hours on November 1 and 2 and temporarily reassigned staff from other departments to assist.
Following the federal government shutdown, Project Bread remains committed to ensuring individuals and families have the support they need. Through the statewide hotline (1-800-645-8333), residents can locate food programs, access free meals during the holidays, and apply for federal nutrition benefits, including SNAP and WIC. The hotline provides confidential, multilingual assistance to help people stretch their food budgets and feed their families.
During the week of October 27 to November 2, 2025, the hotline received 5.33 times more contacts per hour than during the same week in 2024 — a 433% year-over-year increase. Even compared to two weeks earlier (October 13–19, 2025), hourly contacts rose 4.43 times, a 343% increase.
“We are grateful for Governor Healey’s leadership and recognition of our team’s efforts,” said McAleer. “This acute crisis proved how truly critical SNAP benefits are in keeping food on our neighbors’ tables, and it’s a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish together. Our staff will continue to work year-round to ensure no one in Massachusetts goes hungry.”
The Governor’s visit comes as hunger advocates successfully pushed for state leaders to ensure November SNAP benefits were issued in full for all recipients statewide. More than 655,000 low-income households in Massachusetts rely on this essential nutrition assistance.
Project Bread’s Make Hunger History Coalition — representing more than 130 anti-hunger organizations — is calling for continued action to protect families from food insecurity as ongoing SNAP changes continue to take effect following the passage of the Trump administration’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ earlier this summer.
To learn more about Make Hunger History, visit https://makehungerhistoryma.org/
About Project Bread
Project Bread is the leading statewide food security organization in Massachusetts. Beginning in 1969 with the first Walk for Hunger, the nonprofit focuses on driving systemic change to ensure people of all ages have reliable access to healthy food. Project Bread works collaboratively across sectors to create innovative solutions to end hunger and improve lives across the Commonwealth. For more information, visit: www.projectbread.org.
About Make Hunger History
The Make Hunger History Coalition is an ambitious statewide initiative made up of a diverse set of stakeholders – from food access, healthcare, public health, local agriculture, elected officials, philanthropy, and grassroots advocates – committing together to achieve one goal: end hunger permanently in Massachusetts. For more information, visit: https://makehungerhistoryma.org/
