As families across the country face uncertainty around the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Swampscott’s Anchor Food Pantry is preparing to help more people and host additional food drives.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture had planned to freeze payments to the nation’s largest food aid program on November 1. However, two federal judges ruled on Friday that President Donald Trump’s administration must continue to fund SNAP with contingency funds during the government shutdown. It remains unclear how quickly the SNAP debit cards people use to buy groceries can be reloaded, as that process typically takes one to two weeks.
“We’re anticipating that people, who could typically have used their benefits to help supplement their groceries, will need more support,” said Anchor Food Pantry Board Member Cathy Kalpin. “We service a lot of what I’d describe as working people in need. These people have jobs, but that job does not pay them enough money.”
In response, Anchor Food Pantry is stepping up to meet the increased demand and will host a collection drive at the Reach Arts Building, 89 Burrill Street, on November 1, November 8 and November 15.
“True to Swampscott’s nature, the outreach for people wanting to provide some support is amazing,” Kalpin said. “The town has offered us the Reach Arts Building for us for the next three Saturdays to volunteer with our board for anyone in the community that wants to drop off.”
The drop-offs will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The group put together a list of suggested items to donate, including:
- Canned: corn, peas, string beans, mixed veggies, beets
- Canned fruits
- Apple sauce
- Canned soup
- Broths: chicken, beef, vegetable
- Canned: tuna, chicken
- Shelf stable milk (1% or almond)
- Cereal
- Granola and cereal bars
- Pasta and pasta sauce
- Macaroni cheese
- Beans (canned or dry)
- Rice
- Coffee, tea (regular and decaf)
- Juice
- Peanut butter
All donations should be new, unopened and not expired.
Kalpin noted that Big Blue Bargains recently made a “very generous donation,” and that Nahant Library is also “doing amazing outreach work.”
SNAP serves nearly 42 million Americans, or about one in eight people nationwide. Originally known as food stamps, the program has existed since 1964 and serves as a crucial safety net for low-income families whose jobs don’t cover basic needs. Most participants have incomes below the poverty line, at roughly $32,000 for a family of four.
Most participants are families with children, and more than one in three include older adults or someone with a disability. Nearly two in five recipients are households with someone employed.
“It’s not just people who are collecting money,” Kalpin said. “These are people who are working but need to stretch their dollar beyond what the grocery stores allow.”
According to Project Bread, more than one in three households in Massachusetts experienced food insecurity in 2024, which equates to around 2 million adults affected by food insecurity at some point within the year. Black and Hispanic households have faced the highest rates of food insecurity in the state, at 46% and 62% respectively. Since 2019, rates among Asian and White households have doubled.
Statewide food insecurity has climbed steadily, from 19% in 2019 to 37% in 2024. Project Bread notes that living at or below 200% of the federal poverty level strongly predicts food insecurity.
In Swampscott, the poverty rate rose to 7% in 2023, a 4.7% increase in just one year, according to Data USA. Kalpin noted that there are over 1,000 families in the Swampscott area that will be impacted by the loss of SNAP benefits.
“Those include senior citizens, veterans, young families,” Kalpin said. “We serve over 100 families per month at the pantry, and I think that is about to increase…Even before the SNAP benefits expired, the economy has had an impact on some families.”
Trump suggested on social media Friday night that the government would comply with the court’s decision and distribute SNAP benefits if given legal clarity.
“If we are given the appropriate legal direction by the Court, it will BE MY HONOR to provide the funding, just like I did with Military and Law Enforcement Pay,” he posted on Truth Social.
He went on to blame “the Senate Democrats, and tell them to reopen the Government, NOW!” Trump also shared the office number to Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY).
Anchor Food Pantry began forming in February 2020, with a board in place and plans to open that summer. But less than a month later, the COVID-19 pandemic hit and changed everything. The town asked if the pantry was ready to open, and they did.
Now, five years later, Anchor Food Pantry supports the community through a wide range of efforts, from providing food at the pantry and its garden to back-to-school backpack drives, Thanksgiving meals and warm winter bag distributions.
“It’s awesome to be a part of a group of individuals who have this commitment,” Kalpin said. “It’s been really powerful volunteering in the pantry. These people are so grateful for the support.”
