In Berkshire County, 22,270 children and adults receive food assistance from the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance.
On November 1, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits paused due to the government shutdown – and nearly 20% of our Berkshire neighbors faced a food crisis!
Berkshire United Way is responding and working closely with local food access organizations to come up with solutions to address this food emergency.
You can help! We encourage you to donate directly to Berkshire United Way to support local food access.
Berkshire United Way Food and Emergency Relief Grant
The Berkshire United Way Food and Emergency Relief Grant is a local crisis response initiative designed to address urgent food insecurity and emergency needs across Berkshire County. This fund was established in response to the growing challenges faced by our community, including disruptions to federal assistance programs such as SNAP.
This initiative is part of Berkshire United Way’s commitment to supporting all communities within Berkshire County by rapidly deploying critical resources to organizations that are actively engaged in food distribution and emergency relief.
Grant details:
- Eligible organizations may receive up to $5,000 in funding, based on availability of funds.
- Grants aim to provide funding to local organizations to help offset costs as the need for food increases.
- Application is required. The information provided in your application will be used to determine the appropriate award amount.
- Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, with priority given to trusted partners with a proven history of community engagement and service delivery in Berkshire County.
Information and Application
For more information or to begin the application process, please contact Chloe Rychcik at crychcik@berkshireunitedway.org or 413-442-6948 x13.
SNAP updates from the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts
Any funds already loaded on your EBT card will remain available to spend in November, even if the shutdown continues.- It’s a good idea to leave at least one cent on your EBT card to keep accessing your Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) benefits, so you can get produce from local farm stands and farmers’ markets. HIP benefits are not effected by the government shutdown.
- As of November 1, benefits for the month will be listed on EBT cards as “pending.” Pending balances cannot be used to purchase food. For the useable balance on your EBT card, call the number listed on the back of your card.
- SNAP enrollment remains open. The DTA and the Food Bank’s SNAP Enrollment team are continuing to help people apply for benefits. Once you are enrolled, your benefits will begin when general benefits are restored. Call our SNAP team at 413-992-6204.
Food Pantries and Meal Sites
Berkshire County is home to a robust network of emergency food sites including food pantries, meal sites, school district food distributions, senior centers, and other food access organizations.
Food Pantry and Meal Sites | November 2025
If you are interested in volunteering at a local food pantry or meal site, visit our Volunteer Center for opportunities or contact your nearest food site.
Pittsfield Farmers Market – 2025 Indoor Season
Second Saturdays of the Month, 9AM - 1PM
November 8, December 13, January 10, February 14, March 14, April 11
The Common Room, Zion Lutheran Church
74 First Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201
Market Match: Roots Rising will continue to offer the usual $30 Market Match, even if your SNAP balance is low. As long as you have at least one penny on your EBT card, you’ll receive $30 in tokens to spend at the market.
HIP (Healthy Incentives Program): HIP is managed by the state and remains fully funded and active. If you have an active EBT card, you automatically have HIP, which provides $40-$80 per month (depending on household size) to buy fruits and vegetables at this market. Balances reload at the beginning of each month. You’ll need at least one penny on your EBT card to access these funds.
In the news
Berkshire Edge: Less than 24 hours before federal food-assistance benefits are cut off, Berkshires food pantry network already struggling to meet the local need
Berkshire Eagle: With loss of SNAP benefits looming amid shutdown, Berkshire organizations race to fill void for families in need
In partnership with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, United Way is responding to these direct threats to SNAP with a new statewide effort to support Massachusetts residents whose SNAP benefits are being put at significant risk. The United Response Fund will deploy emergency financial assistance to individuals and families who will experience disruptions to their food assistance benefits through SNAP.
The United Response Fund will provide immediate support and urgently needed stability to neighbors, frontline organizations, and communities across the state and help ensure United Ways are equipped to address as many challenges as they can.
You may donate to the United Response Fund to support emergency food assistance. To ensure funding is distributed to support residents in Berkshire County, please designate your gift to Berkshire United Way in the dropdown list.