Lorraine's Soup Kitchen aided by $50K state donation

Food insecurity continues to be on the rise across the country as the SNAP program takes a hit. 22 News reporter Claire Overton joins us live in studio with how organizations in our area are continuing to help make a difference despite the growing struggle. Ciara and Christina, Lorraine's Soup Kitchen is just one organization in western Massachusetts that is seeing a drastic increase in people in need. It will help us a lot. Lorraine's Soup Kitchen in Chicopee is just one food pantry in the area, helping support the over 120,000 residents in western Massachusetts who rely on food assistance to help make ends meet. And to help with the growing need, State Representative Shirley Arriaga presented a check for $50,000. This earmark is just simply to help Lorraine continue their hard mission in feeding our most vulnerable, because unfortunately we do live in America, but in an America that folks are going to sleep hungry. Kim Case, the Executive Director at Lorraine's, said this money will help immensely. It will supplement not only our pantry, but it will also supplement our dinner program and our mobile, so it's going to help us out with three of our programs that we have wherever we need it. Even a check for $50,000 still won't be enough to fully support the community, especially if the Farm Bill passes in Congress, which will continue to impact SNAP benefits. What we need in a Farm Bill is a rescission of the policies that were passed last summer in President Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The Food Bank of Western Mass saying at this point, no Farm Bill would arguably be better than the one that is currently in Congress, as the bill on the table would, over time, make states more monetarily responsible for operating and funding SNAP. The Food Bank is calling on lawmakers to protect and sustain SNAP benefits as the nation's most effective food security program. Lorraine's also said they are always looking for volunteers to help, even for this coming Saturday for the letter carrier's food drive. You can find a link to volunteer on our website. Working for you, Claire Overton, 22 News.