We’re thrilled that the Massachusetts’ Senate’s proposed supplemental budget includes $176.6 million in funding for DTA caseworkers, following the House’s vote last Wednesday to do the same. We are so thankful to the Senate Ways and Means committee for including this support so that the DTA can have enough staff and resources to answer every call.
The Senate will vote on the budget on November 5th, before it heads to the Governor’s desk for final approval. A passing vote in the Senate and a signature from Governor Healey will be a huge win for people experiencing hunger across the state.
This is truly advocacy in action. Across the state we’ve been rallying for our legislators to support DTA just like this.
Take the People’s Potluck as one such rally. Mid-month, I joined food system advocates from across the state at the People’s Potluck at the State House. Together we shared nourishing food in our State House – or what I like to call The People’s House. We broke bread with community members and legislators, just as we do in our own homes. Grounded in the vision of community leaders who rely on SNAP, we gathered with love, hope and determination that MA legislators will act on behalf of people experiencing hunger. We built community and shared power.
We pressed to ensure SNAP calls are answered and verification documents are processed. On the State House steps, brave leaders shared the crisis we’re in and the vision of what we can win. SEIU 509 Union DTA workers stood beside the community they proudly serve, emphasizing their care for turning this crisis around and meeting caseloads with the time they deserve.
Senator Jamie Eldridge, a longtime champion for a strong SNAP, joined us in front of the State House, and songs and chants of our interconnectedness echoed up into its rooms. Metrowest Food Collaborative, led by Kali Coughlan, brought storytellers with lived experience and passion, and held powerful meetings with the Senate President and House Leadership. Legislative champion David LeBoeuf, who has championed amendments to increase staff funding for the DTA office, joined us, as did staff from Rep. Mahoney’s and Rep. Kilcoyne’s offices.
We all agreed: TO EAT OR NOT TO EAT SHOULD NEVER BE A QUESTION. I’m deeply grateful to the Boston Food Access Council for gathering us and leading with heart and courage to demand better from our state.
Later in the day, I also brought a letter from WCFB to our representatives’ offices, along with Make Hunger History Coalition info, district-specific data, and stories of the crisis. My mini shopping cart of local apples sparked conversation and let me re-emphasize what we know as a regional food bank: for every meal distributed by a Partner Agency, SNAP can provide nine. As we visit the pantries and meal programs that partner with us, we’re staggered by the need in every town in Worcester County.
The People’s Potluck was amazing, but it’s only a start. Our vision of power means building community with each other, so we can speak out together, because we know we can improve hunger with organized people. As we build out our advocacy work in the coming months, I promise to train you, laugh with you, and build power together to change the policy to end hunger. More to come.
