Project Bread

We’re thrilled to share that Project Bread received a grant from Sincere Foundation! Thanks to Sincere Foundation for recognizing our work to end hunger in Massachusetts. With this generous grant, Sincere Foundation directly supports Project Bread in helping food-insecure families put food on the table and advancing sustainable, long-term solutions to hunger.

Sincere Foundation has awarded $250,000 in new grants to twenty organizations that address basic needs in Massachusetts communities. With this most recent round of funding, the Foundation reaches a milestone of $1 million awarded to 56 organizations in its three years of operation. We’re honored to be recognized. Sincere Foundation is made possible by the support of Boston-based technology company Sincere Corporation and its family of brands: Punchbowl®, Lovebird®, Timehop®, and Memento®.

To learn more, visit www.sincere.com.

🎉 The Healthy Incentives Program (known as HIP) is about to reach an incredible milestone—$100 million earned by Massachusetts families since 2017! That investment has generated $188 million in local economic activity, strengthening our communities and supporting local farms.

At a time of rising food insecurity and reduced federal support, HIP is a lifeline for SNAP households. Thank you to our legislators for funding HIP in the FY27 budget and standing with us year after year!

But our work isn’t done. HIP’s success relies on families accessing SNAP, and they need better access. Additional funding for DTA caseworkers will help more eligible people access SNAP and HIP.

Join our Action Team to stay up-to-date! https://mailchi.mp/4c44ac6e9cc9/1cx52zruth

"When we think about community as a broader term, having yourself be fed and having your basic needs met allows you to fully participate in your classroom community, in the school community, and out in our community as a whole,” said Hosmer Elementary Principal Erin Moulton.

Read about why breakfast is a critical investment in students’ success.

School Breakfast Supports Student Learning Learn about why school breakfast is essential for students' success in and out of the classroom.

Last week, the Massachusetts Senate finalized their version of the FY27 state budget and we want to thank Senator Robyn Kennedy and the 21 cosponsors of an amendment (half the Senate) to increase funding to expand access to SNAP by hiring more DTA case workers to expand access to SNAP. While this amendment was not included, we will continue to advocate for DTA funding in the weeks and months ahead.

As Senator Kennedy said, “This is about people because when a case is delayed, a child needs dinner. When a certification is stuck, an older adult still needs groceries. When a call is unanswered, a family is still waiting.”

As we work with the Governor and Legislature to make critical investments into SNAP access, we also celebrate investments made by the Senate’s budget: full funding for our programs, full funding for the Healthy Incentives Program, and funds to support efforts addressing college student hunger.

With 40% of our neighbors struggling with food insecurity, we urge the Legislature to include the strongest anti-hunger proposals in its final FY27 budget. The advocacy continues — join the Project Bread Action Team to stay connected for opportunities to raise your voice!

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Project Bread is grateful for our partners that make our work possible. This year, Project Bread had the wonderful opportunity to work with the Red Sox Foundation, which shares Project Bread’s commitment to helping children, families, and communities access healthy food and resources.

The Red Sox Foundation currently supports Project Bread’s Health Care Partnerships program, an innovative model that combines our fight against hunger and the belief that nutritious food is essential for good health. Project Bread’s approach recognizes that insufficient food is both a social problem and a serious health issue that requires immediate and ongoing action.

Established in April 2020, the program provides tailored one-to-one support for those identified as experiencing food insecurity. Project Bread’s approach provides clients with gift cards to purchase groceries, kitchen equipment, personalized nutrition counseling, cooking classes, and so much more to help them not only put food on the table, but to have the long-term support needed to end food insecurity in their household.

“Consistent access to nutritious food is fundamental to the health and wellbeing of the communities we serve,” says Bekah Salwasser, Red Sox Foundation Executive Director and EVP, Social Impact. “Our mission is rooted in expanding opportunity—whether through education, recreation, or health—and food security is critically important. We are proud to support Project Bread in addressing both immediate hunger needs and long-term systemic change.”

Recent clients of Project Bread’s Health Care Partnership program include a mother of three, living in a small Lynn apartment and dealing with a back injury, who was struggling to make ends meet. Unable to work and facing mounting needs—new beds, kitchen items, and food—her situation was worsening. That’s when Zaida Ayala, Senior Nutrition Services Coordinator at Project Bread, stepped in. Through Project Bread, Ayala connected the family with a program that provided essential furniture, supplies, kitchen equipment, and food card benefits, meeting her needs at a critical moment.

“She expressed how deeply grateful she was and how relieved she felt knowing that some of their immediate needs were being met. She also mentioned how the kitchen items would help her cook better meals and provide healthier food for her children,” Ayala says.

Thanks to the Red Sox Foundation, we’re able to continue our work with the Health Care Partnerships program. Project Bread is truly grateful for their generous support in helping us bridge the gap between food insecurity and health.

A Massachusetts resident submitted his SNAP recertification paperwork on time but heard nothing for two months. When he visited the DTA office, staff cited short staffing and said his case would be processed remotely. He waited for a caseworker's call to complete the process, but the call was dropped, and he was told to resubmit his paperwork. As a result, his SNAP benefits remain uncertain.

These stories are not unique experiences. In March, 81% of calls to DTA were unanswered, meaning most people couldn’t reach a live worker. As a result, many are forced to make repeated, time-consuming trips to DTA offices just to get help. Over the past year, nearly 140,000 individuals—including 48,000 children—have lost SNAP benefits, largely due to shifting requirements and difficulties connecting with DTA.

Join the Action Team to stay up-to-date: https://mailchi.mp/4c44ac6e9cc9/1cx52zruth

After missing his recertification deadline, a man reapplied for SNAP online but has waited weeks without any contact for an interview or follow-up information. With no current income and limited transportation, he is unable to visit his local office to check in.

These stories are not unique experiences. In March, 81% of calls to DTA were unanswered, meaning most people couldn’t reach a live worker. As a result, many are forced to make repeated, time-consuming trips to DTA offices just to get help. Over the past year, nearly 140,000 individuals—including 48,000 children—have lost SNAP benefits, largely due to shifting requirements and difficulties connecting with DTA.

Join the Action Team to stay up-to-date: https://mailchi.mp/4c44ac6e9cc9/1cx52zruth

A Pittsfield resident waited three weeks for a response after applying for SNAP benefits in person. Despite calling the DTA Assistance Line multiple times, he only received wait messages. Without SNAP benefits, he has had to depend on local food pantries.

These stories are not unique experiences. In March, 81% of calls to DTA were unanswered, meaning most people couldn’t reach a live worker. As a result, many are forced to make repeated, time-consuming trips to DTA offices just to get help.

Over the past year, nearly 140,000 individuals—including 48,000 children—have lost SNAP benefits, largely due to shifting requirements and difficulties connecting with DTA.
Join the Action Team to stay up-to-date: https://mailchi.mp/4c44ac6e9cc9/1cx52zruth