Nationwide, fewer people are receiving SNAP benefits. One recent NPR report cites preliminary Agriculture Department data that an average of 42 million people received SNAP last year, but as of April, that number has dropped to 37 million. Massachusetts' Department of Transitional Assistance also confirms fewer people are receiving benefits. According to their Monthly Zip Code Reports, 2,045 clients in Franklin received assistance in June of 2025, compared to 1,650 in June of 2026. Bellingham figures also show a drop in that time period, from 1,800 to 1,446 clients. DTA "Performance Scorecard" figures show that statewide, Mass. residents receiving monthly SNAP benefits dropped from 659,661 in June 2025 to 561,585 in June of 2026.

Does that mean fewer people are hungry? Not if you talk to the folks at the Franklin Food Pantry. They are seeing a record rise in hungry neighbors coming through their doors.

"Based on We just did our most recent numbers for the fiscal year July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026that closed June 30. The number of people we served increased went up by 28%. Children served increased went up by 35%, from July 1, 2025,to June 30, 2026," says Tina Powderly, Executive Director of Franklin Food Pantry. That translates from 502 children to 678 from one fiscal year to the next, she explains.

"Our conclusion is that We believe the SNAP data from the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) doesn't tell the full picture," says Powderly, "We would caution people to really interpret that in context of what is happening on the ground. What we're seeing is that there is the highest need, historically, in a really long time."

The number of households coming through Franklin Food Pantry doors went from 898 in FY25 to 1123 in FY26.

"The reality of what people are facing in terms of food insecurity is entirely different from what you would see on numbers on a piece of paper grid," says Powderly, "People aren't leaving SNAP because they're ok; people are still hungry. At the end of the day, Our day-to-day experience shows that the people who aren't accessing SNAP still need food, and that's why we're here."

Many of the Franklin Food Pantry's clientele complain they are unable to reach DTA to maintain their eligibility.

"All of our clients who are trying to work with DTA have been challenged to submit paperwork or recertify," notes Powderly, "There are many who can't get through to get the paperwork in. The bureaucracy is harder to navigate, and there are people who have to certify who never had to before, like veterans who now have to jump through additional hoops to verify."

According to the NPR report, "under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, more adults need to prove they work or volunteer for at least 80 hours a month to access food benefits. These work requirements now apply to veterans, homeless individuals, young adults aging out of foster care, parents with a child between 14 and 17, and people between 55 and 64."

With an increased amount of paperwork needed and difficulty getting through to DTA, the Franklin Food Pantry has applied and been accepted to be a SNAP Outreach Partner to help their clients navigate the red tape. This joint program of the DTA and the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School offers participating organizations federal funds for SNAP outreach access, training, and technical assistance. SNAP Outreach Partners will be able to help folks complete SNAP applications, gather verifications, undergo approval processes, complete SNAP Interim reports, complete recertification and help with case assistance. Franklin Food Pantry Client Services Manager, Laura Duiehl, will undergo the training this month to be ready to assist clients starting in October.

Powderly explains, "It's a very big deal to become a SNAP Outreach Partner. There are only five others in Norfolk County."

Seeing literal pounds of food out the door increase from 626,000 to 816,600, the Franklin Food Pantry has also been working on streamlining its website and, Amazon Wishlist , and financial processes for both client access and donation and is looking to hire new staffers in the warehouse to who can handle the physical demand.

"Because of this increase in demand, and because we're now putting out close to a million pounds of food and goods, we are also really looking for more warehousing space in our community," says Powderly, adding, "It's The need is heartbreaking. We feel like we're are trying to setting ourselves up to handle this sort of incoming wave of need."

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