Community Leaders Kick Off “End Hunger Now” Tour in Quincy
On January 16, we were honored to welcome Congressman Stephen Lynch and Congressman James McGovern to Quincy for the kickoff of Congressman McGovern’s statewide End Hunger Now Tour—a powerful conversation focused on food insecurity, federal SNAP cuts, and the real-life impact these decisions are having on families in our community.
The visit took place at our Rosemary and Archie Wahlberg Early Learning Center in Quincy Point, where the congressmen joined our leadership, staff, and community members for a site tour and roundtable discussion. The goal of the visit was clear: to shine a light on the growing need for food assistance and the consequences of recent and proposed cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
During the discussion, both congressmen emphasized that SNAP is a critical safety net—particularly for children, seniors, people with disabilities, and working families who are struggling to keep up with rising costs. Congressman Lynch noted that SNAP benefits average roughly $2 per meal, underscoring how devastating large-scale cuts can be for households already living on the edge. Congressman McGovern echoed those concerns, calling hunger a solvable problem and stressing that food insecurity is ultimately a policy choice.
As an organization working directly with individuals and families facing these challenges every day, we shared what we are seeing on the ground. Demand for food assistance continues to rise. Our food pantry now serves more than 1,000 households each month—an increase of more than 70% from pre-pandemic levels—with recent months averaging even higher demand. At the same time, applications for fuel assistance and other basic supports are also increasing.
Our CEO, Beth Ann Strollo, spoke about the role food assistance plays in helping families stabilize during a crisis and move forward. With the average pantry household income just over $27,000 per year, many families are forced to make impossible choices between rent, childcare, utilities, medication, and food. Programs like SNAP, along with food pantries and other supports, help bridge those gaps and keep families from falling further behind.
The End Hunger Now Tour is about more than statistics—it’s about listening to real stories and bringing them back to Washington to advocate for change. We are grateful to Congressman Lynch and Congressman McGovern for taking the time to hear directly from our community and for their longstanding commitment to fighting hunger.
We also thank our partners, staff, and the families who shared their experiences. Together, we will continue to advocate for policies that protect our most vulnerable neighbors and ensure that everyone has access to nutritious food and the opportunity to thrive.
Coverage of this event appeared in The Quincy Sun, January 22, 2026. Photo Gallery Credit: Nicole Chaput Photography
