2025 was a challenging year for many in our community. Changes to food assistance programs, rising costs, and ongoing uncertainty made it harder for families to keep food on the table. Throughout the year, The Salem Pantry remained focused on one thing: ensuring our neighbors have access to healthy food when they need it.
As we reflect on the past year and look toward 2026, we want to share what we learned and how it will guide our work going forward.
Food Assistance Programs Are Critical
In late October, many families learned their November SNAP benefits would be delayed. Within days, our phone lines were overwhelmed, our inbox filled, and visits to our website reached record levels. Families needed answers and support as they faced the immediate concern of running out of food.
This experience showed how deeply families rely on SNAP and how difficult it would be for food pantries to meet the need without it.
Looking ahead to 2026, we face another serious concern. New federal restrictions could eliminate benefits for 150,000 Massachusetts residents. What we witnessed in October makes one thing clear: protecting and strengthening programs like SNAP must remain a priority. Without them, local food resources cannot keep up with the demand.
Food Insecurity Is Often Misunderstood
This year brought more attention to food insecurity and showed how different the reality is from what many people expect. It affects far more people than many realize and does not look the same for everyone. Among the 30,500 people who visit The Salem Pantry were individuals between jobs, people working multiple jobs, families with children, seniors, students, and healthcare workers.
In a state as wealthy as Massachusetts, the belief that this challenge is rare or temporary continues to persist. In reality, one in three of our neighbors lacks consistent access to food. This is not a short term issue tied to isolated events such as delayed SNAP benefits, but a persistent challenge that households navigate year round. Maintaining accessible programs that welcome everyone remains essential. As we move into 2026, we will continue serving anyone who needs support, without barriers or assumptions.
Our Community Continues to Show Up
Despite the challenges of 2025, one constant remained. Our community shows up for one another. The Salem Pantry’s work is possible because volunteers give their time whether they serve each week, stepped in during the SNAP delays, or continue asking how they can help.
We are also sustained by individual donors and families who give what they can when they can, often quietly and consistently. Their generosity, alongside the support of local businesses that organize fundraisers and food drives, farm partners who provide fresh produce, and community organizations that offer resources and host our mobile pantry sites, and elected officials who advocate for policies that strengthen food access, makes our work possible.
To everyone who donates, volunteers, shares our work, or speaks up about food security in our community, your support makes a meaningful difference.
We Need to Strengthen Our Food Safety Net
The challenges of 2025 showed how important a reliable food safety net is for our community. Many local food organizations faced similar struggles, highlighting the need to stay connected and support one another.
Our food distribution hub helps partner organizations by providing consistent access to food and resources so they can serve their communities more effectively. By working together, we can make sure food reaches those who need it, quickly and reliably.
In 2026, we are excited to expand these efforts in partnership with The Greater Boston Food Bank and continue building the capacity our partners and communities depend on. Our goal is simple: strengthen the safety net so every neighbor and every organization supporting them has dependable access to food.
Together with our volunteers, donors, and neighbors, we can ensure that no one in our community goes without the support they need in 2026!