Join GBFB to Advocate for MEFAP

This spring, join with GBFB and reach out to Massachusetts government leaders to urge them to increase FY 2013 funding for food purchases under the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program, or MEFAP. With federal USDA-provided food in recent decline by as much as 50%, the nutritious foods provided by MEFAP are needed more than ever by the Commonwealth’s pantries, meal programs and shelters, which receive most of their food from GBFB and other food banks in the state. In addition, rising food prices mean that MEFAP funds to purchase nutritious food aren’t going as far, and can’t keep pace with growing need. Today, one in nine people in Eastern Massachusetts faces hunger on a regular basis. For children, that figure is one in five, and in several counties it is as high as one in four. Specifically, we’re advocating that FY 2013 funding for food purchases under MEFAP (DAR 2511-0105) be increased to $15 million, and that funding be restored to the MEFAP administrative line item (DOE 7051-0015) to its former $1.24 million level. Click here to visit our advocacy page and learn how you can help.