ROAD TO OPPORTUNITY:  FINDING THE WAY FORWARD
August 27, 2018
DID YOU KNOW: MA Facts
  • 1 in 10 households (or 10.3%) in MA is "Food Insecure" - meaning either low or very low food security
  • Approximately 4.4% of households have "very low food security"
  • Translation: Families have to cut back on food in the house and have had to change the quality or variety in their diet (p.22 of our report listed below).
For more information and to access the data, read our report "Obstacles on the Road to Opportunity: Finding a Way Forward" published in May 2018.
POLICY MATTERS: Programs Reduce "Food Insecurity"
Public programs funded with federal and state dollars do matter.
  • SNAP: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (previously called "Food Stamps") keeps an estimated 140,000 people from poverty in MA annually.  Almost 3/4 of those receiving SNAP in MA are also working.
  • WIC: The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children provides nutritious food, counseling on healthy eating, support for breast-feeding and health care referrals to pregnant women, infants and children. WIC serves 24,800 infants, 62,000 children and 24,400 women.
  • School Meals Program serves +9 M lunches and 1/2 M breakfasts monthly to students in MA public schools - free or at a reduced cost - keeping students from trying to learn while hungry.  Research shows that improved health and improved academic outcomes.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE: CAAs Fight Food Insecurity
South Shore Community Action Council (SSCAC)  Teamed Up Ag ainst Hunger on July 31 with their quarterly food drive - a 4 store drive involving volunteers from local businesses @EverSourceMA and @FlexoConcepts . They generated more than 617 pounds of food - which will make about 475 meals for those in need.   SSCAC has a complete Food Resource Program including a food distribution warehouse that distributes +480,000 lbs of food annually.   Learn more here.

Upcoming SSCAC Events to Fight Hunger:

Find the Community Action Agency in your area that can help with reducing Food Insecurity here.
CONTINUING THE CONVERSATION 
Together with Worcester Community Action Council (WCAC), we will hold our next forum focused on the findings of the report, Obstacles on the Road to Opportunity: Finding a Way Forward, on October 5 at 7:30 a.m. at Mechanics Hall in Worcester with special guest Congressman  Jim McGovern. Click here for more information and to register.

Together with Community Action of Pioneer Valley, Springfield Partners for Community Action and Valley Opportunity Council, we will hold the next in the series of forums in Springfield on October 26.  Stay tuned for more information. 
COMMUNITY ACTION IN MA

Our Mission
To strengthen and connect the statewide network of Community Action Agencies and collectively advocate for an end to poverty.

Our Vision
All MA residents will be able to meet their basic needs, access economic opportunities, build strong communities and move toward prosperity...

Find your Agency
There are 23 Community Action Agencies in Massachusetts serving virtually every city and town in the state.   To locate the agency in your area and learn more about the programs they offer,  click here .

Read our 2017 Annual Report
                                              #End PovertyMA