Copyright The Boston Globe
Mayor Michelle Wu and other officials will brief reporters Friday on the local response to the looming suspension of federal SNAP benefits amid the government shutdown. In a statement, Wu’s office said the briefing is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. at City Hall. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits are set to expire Saturday if no deal is reached to end the shutdown, a devastating scenario that Wu’s office said would affect around 143,000 Boston residents, or 92,000 households. “Mayor Wu will announce a partnership with The Boston Foundation and non-profit organizations who serve SNAP recipients to support families in need, as well as a citywide outreach effort to ensure impacted residents have every possible resource to afford food and necessities,” the statement said. Advertisement Wu will be joined at the briefing by several officials including Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, the city’s public health commissioner; Mary Skipper, superintendent of Boston Public Schools; José Massó, the city’s chief of human services; leaders from surrounding communities; and a number of nonprofit heads including Lee Pelton, president and chief executive officer of the Boston Foundation, according to the statement. The briefing comes as state Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell this week announced that Massachusetts and 24 other states were suing to try to force the Trump administration to pay food benefits set to run out on Saturday. Judge Indira Talwani heard oral arguments on the lawsuit Thursday in federal court in Boston. She’s yet to rule. Advertisement In the Democratic states’ lawsuit, Campbell and the other officials seek an order requiring the Agriculture Department to continue paying SNAP benefits out of available contingency funds. The USDA has two funds with more than $28 billion available and has used similar funds to pay for SNAP during prior government shutdowns, according to the suit. Governor Maura Healey has said the state cannot afford to cover the estimated $240 million a month tab for SNAP benefits. Instead, she has asked residents to contribute to a United Way fund-raising effort to support food banks. Healey also announced rhat the state will provide $8 million — up from $4 million — for the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program for November. Material from prior Globe stories was used in this report. This story will be updated. Travis Andersen can be reached at travis.andersen@globe.com.
