City of Worcester, MA

WORCESTER, Mass. – The City of Worcester announced Thursday the allocation of $250,000 to the United Way of Central Massachusetts’ (UWCM) United Response Fund for food and heating assistance for Worcester residents who will experience a loss of SNAP and heating assistance benefits due to the government shutdown.

The $250,000 allocation is part of a $1 million stop gap measure that has been generated through the generosity of our community to keep food on the tables and fuel in the homes of our residents. The $1 million total includes a $250,000 match from the UWCM, $150,000 from the Worcester County Food Bank, $100,000 from the Worcester Railers Hockey Club, $87,500 from the Esler Family Foundation, and $75,170 from a private donor, among other generous donations.

“As a municipality, we will continue to come to the table and do everything we can to keep our most vulnerable residents fed and warm this winter,” said City Manager Eric D. Batista. “One in four people in Worcester are losing their access to healthy food and are at risk of going hungry or cold. So, we are doing what Worcester does best in a crisis: coming together and finding a way forward. I want to thank all our community partners who are working together to uplift our most vulnerable populations.” 

UWCM will oversee the distribution of the funds. Of the $250,000 allocation from the municipality, $150,000 will be set aside for Worcester Public Schools families in the form of $100 grocery store gift cards. WPS will inform families soon about the process to obtain a gift card if they qualify. The remaining $100,000 will be given to the Worcester Community Action Council (WCAC) for fuel assistance. The WCAC will also receive $1,175,000 in fuel assistance from an emergency fund from the Commonwealth’s Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities. 

In Worcester County the loss of SNAP benefits will be felt dramatically as 80,000 people in the region UWCM serves receive SNAP benefits with Worcester alone accounting for 54,500 of those recipients — one quarter of the city’s population.

“This summer, Trump and Republicans passed their Big Ugly Bill—the largest cut to food assistance in American history — in order to give more tax breaks to billionaires. Now, they're doubling down on the cruelty by illegally trying to cancel food assistance for the first time in American history. They are using the shutdown as a pretext to take food off the tables of millions and millions of working families, kids, seniors, and veterans — and to take fuel assistance away from struggling folks right as it starts to get cold out. What a rotten, terrible thing to do,” said Congressman McGovern.“I’m so heartened by the incredible community response here in Central Massachusetts to help prevent our neighbors from suffering due to the shutdown and these callous cuts. People are counting on us to keep fighting for them, and that is what we must do.”

“Worcester is the heart of the commonwealth — while Washington turns its back, we will open our hearts,” said Mayor Joseph M. Petty.

Donations may be made to the United Response Fund at https://unitedwaycm.org

Information regarding food access can be found at https://foodhelpworcester.org

Information regarding heat assistance can be found at https://wcac.net 

Information regarding SNAP benefits can be found at https://mass.gov/orgs/department-of-transitional-assistance  

Statements of Support:

“Our students must be well fed in order to learn. There is a significant need to support a large percentage of Worcester Public Schools families that rely on SNAP benefits. The district is grateful that so many community partners are doing what they can to help. No child should go hungry due to the federal shutdown.” – Brian E. Allen, Superintendent, Worcester Public Schools 

“Our Worcester neighbors are not facing this SNAP crisis alone. Worcester County Food Bank (WCFB) and our network of 24 pantries in Worcester are here to help as part of a coordinated effort with community leaders and organizations. WCFB’s contribution to the United Response Fund in addition to our year-round distribution of food, gift cards, and funding to Partner Agencies is only possible because of the loyal and generous individuals, businesses, foundations, and organizations supporting us and our neighbors every step of the way.” – Jean G. McMurray, Chief Executive Officer, Worcester County Food Bank

“Federal inaction and recent cuts for SNAP are dismantling years of progress, deepening food insecurity, and forcing families to make impossible choices between rent, food, or medicine. The Center on Food Equity has been tracking this issue since the pandemic and applauds the city’s efforts to tackle it in its own way. While SNAP is ultimately a federal program, we’re committed to using every state and local resource available to mitigate harm and preserve access, dignity, and equity for all. Our local coalitions will continue to work on programmatic, communication and policy strategies in collaborative community-based ways as we face the challenges ahead.” – Casey Burns, Co-Chair, Center on Food Equity

“In Worcester, we don’t turn away from hardship — we rise together. From working families and seniors to our honored veterans, no one should face hunger alone. El Buen Samaritano has kept our doors open through every crisis — from COVID-19 to the baby formula shortage — and we will not stop now. But today, we need our community beside us. Together — as a city, as neighbors — we can do more. This is who we are. This is Worcester. And together, we will rise.” — Mari Gonzalez, Executive Director, El Buen Samaritano Food Program Inc.

“The Worcester Family Resource Center of Seven Hills is always here to support the needs of families in our community as an agency that supports our community and neighbors in need. We are honored to be included in this crucial effort for our families at this difficult time.” – Mahly Alejandro, Director, Worcester Family Resource Center

“WCAC is deeply grateful for this meaningful collaboration with the city and our local partners and funders. While these resources represent only a fraction of what’s needed to support our neighbors, the unity and collective spirit behind them far outweigh the challenges we face together.” – Marybeth Campbell, Chief Executive Officer, Worcester Community Action Council

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