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 will stop due to the government shutdown – and nearly 20% of our Berkshire neighbors will face 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.
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.
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.