Copyright berkshireeagle
To the editor: At a time when millions of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, we face a moral crisis that transcends politics: the threat of hunger. As government dysfunction drags on, the most vulnerable among us — seniors, working families, children, veterans and the disabled — are at risk if food stamps and food banks are forced to scale back or close. I learned the power of community early on in South Florida. As a teenager, I volunteered at The Pantry of Broward, a local food bank serving struggling families and older adults on fixed incomes. I didn’t just hand out canned goods — I took action. I knocked on doors, stood outside Sawgrass Mills Mall, and even walked into Target to urge managers to donate food and support local hunger relief programs. Those experiences taught me that compassion isn’t partisan — it’s human. Today, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts — like the rest of the country — cannot afford another government shutdown. When Washington stalls, it’s not politicians who suffer; it’s families. It’s single parents trying to stretch their SNAP benefits. It’s retirees forced to choose between groceries and medication. And it’s disabled patients managing chronic illness who cannot afford to miss a meal without risking their health. For people with disabilities or medical conditions, consistent access to nutrition is not optional — it’s life-sustaining. Malnutrition can worsen chronic illness, interfere with medications and lead to hospitalization. The health costs of hunger spill over into hospitals and clinics — costs we all pay for. Food programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) are lifelines. Yet they are constantly endangered by political stalemates. Across Massachusetts, pantries are already stretched thin — relying on donations and volunteers to fill gaps left by shrinking federal support. When these programs falter, the consequences are immediate. Children go to school hungry. Seniors skip meals to buy prescriptions. Disabled residents face emergencies caused by poor nutrition. Hunger doesn’t wait for politics to fix itself — and neither can we. The cost of hunger far outweighs the cost of prevention. Feeding people isn’t “government waste.” It’s human survival. We all have a role to play — call your representatives, donate to your local pantry and demand that food assistance remain funded. Feeding people isn’t charity. It’s justice. Irene Namer, Sheffield
