6 minute read
All Who Hunger, Gather Gladly
All Who Hunger, Gather Gladly - Parishes respond to food insecurity in Western MA
The Rev. Sandi Albom, Church of the Atonement, Westfield
The Rev. Jimmy Pickett, St. John's, Athol
For the past eight years, Massachusetts residents who receive SNAP benefits have also had access to an additional resource: the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP). HIP has provided crucial support, allowing individuals and families to purchase fresh, local produce at farmers’ markets, strengthening both local economies and access to nutritious food. This program effectively extended SNAP benefits, offering $40 per month for individuals, $60 for families of 3-5, and $80 for families of six or more. As Isaiah reminds us: “Ho! Everyone who thirsts; come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” (Isaiah 55:1)
Unfortunately, as of January 2025, HIP benefits have been drastically reduced. Now, regardless of family size, SNAP recipients receive only $20 in HIP, with no ability to carry over unused benefits. This reduction comes at a time when food insecurity in Western Massachusetts is reaching critical levels. Recent data shows that 41% of households in the region are struggling to access enough food, with an even higher rate—48%—in Hampden County, which includes Westfield. Across Massachusetts, 34% of households report experiencing food insecurity. These numbers underscore a growing crisis that demands urgent response.
The causes of food insecurity are complex and interconnected. The rising cost of living, particularly in housing and utilities, forces many families to make impossible choices between rent, medication, and groceries. Wages have not kept pace with inflation, making it increasingly difficult for working families to afford basic necessities. Additionally, access to grocery stores and fresh food remains a challenge, particularly for those in rural areas or neighborhoods without reliable transportation. Cuts to federal and state assistance programs, including SNAP and HIP, further exacerbate the problem, making it harder for families to bridge the gap between what they earn and what they need to survive.
Often, we may not know that the person sitting next to us in church, living right next to us in our neighborhood, or standing in line at the store is dealing with food insecurity. The struggle to access adequate food is not always visible, and many individuals and families suffer in silence, feeling ashamed or reluctant to ask for help. It is our responsibility as people of faith to ensure that no one in our community feels alone in this struggle.
So Church, what are we—who gather week after week to be fed by the Body of Christ at our Altars in order to go out into the world to be the Body of Christ in our communities—to do in these times? We invite you to ponder this in your heart as we share a few stories from our churches and reflect on how we can expand our work to meet this growing need.
At St. John’s in Athol, our Eucharistic fellowship flows into the parish hall and the wider North Quabbin region. On the fourth Tuesday of each month, a faithful group of volunteers cook up a meal in the parish hall for the Building Bridges Veterans Initiative. For the past several months, we have continued to break our own record of meals served. In February, we fed 52 souls in two hours. We’re projecting that that number will only continue to grow.
We also planted a small garden outside of the church, including a small fruit orchard, to provide a little extra fresh produce for the Vet’s Lunch and to share with our neighbors at the Athol Royalston Regional (ARR) Food Pantry up the hill. This pantry is hosted at the local regional high school and supports local families and students every week. There is also a larger regional organization called Quabbin Food Connector that works to bridge the gaps for healthy food access across the North Quabbin. Rev. Jimmy sits on this board to help connect the church with local organizations, including the ARR Food Pantry. Community partnerships with local farms and consumers help the church be responsive to the changing needs in the region.
The Episcopal Church of the Atonement, Westfield, (ECOTA) hosts the local Farmer’s Market on the church lawn. For the past 10 years, the Farmer’s Market at Church has served as a vital connection between local farmers and families in need, ensuring access to fresh, healthy food. By offering matching SNAP/HIP funds, the market helps low-income households stretch their food budgets while supporting local agriculture. Our Little Pantry Initiative provides immediate food relief, offering non-perishable items and personal care essentials to anyone in need, 24/7, with no questions asked.
The Good News Garden expands this mission by growing fresh produce for donation through the Westfield Food Pantry and Little Free Food Pantry, engaging volunteers of all ages in handson gardening, and fostering a deeper connection to creation and community. The Strawberry Festival, a cherished annual event, raises significant funds for the Westfield Food Pantry, bringing the community together in celebration while addressing food insecurity. ECOTA also partners with area churches to serve meals at the Soup Kitchen and provide weekly meals through the Food Pantry, ensuring that those facing hunger receive hot, nutritious food in a welcoming setting.
As followers of Jesus Christ, we are called to feed the hungry, care for our neighbors, and embody God’s love through action. Through these ministries, ECOTA seeks to live out the Gospel by nourishing bodies and spirits, fostering dignity, and building a stronger, more compassionate community.
These ministries, along with many others, remind us that addressing food insecurity is both a Gospel imperative and a tangible way to love our neighbors. As we look ahead, how can we deepen our partnerships with local farms? Can we advocate for stronger food assistance policies? Could we establish community fridges or expand meal programs? The need is great, but so is our call to respond.
If your parish is looking for ways to begin or expand food justice ministries, there are many resources and support networks available. Let’s work together to ensure that all who hunger are fed—not just in spirit, but in body as well.
Please feel free to reach out to Rev. Jimmy at St. John’s in Athol (978-2499553) or Rev. Sandi at Atonement in Westfield (413-562-5461) if you want someone to pray and brainstorm with as you look towards the growing season. ♦
