What is Food Insecurity?

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services defines food insecurity as “a household-level economic and social condition of limited or uncertain access to adequate food”.  

Who is impacted by food insecurity?

Project Bread states that food insecurity affected more than 1 in 3 Massachusetts households, around 2 million adults, at some point during the year.   

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Thrifty Food Plan lists the average food costs for a family of four in 2025 as $993.

Eligibility requirements for Massachusetts SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits in 2025 for a family of four:

$5,358 maximum monthly income before taxes

$994 maximum monthly SNAP benefit  

Did you know that Loaves & Fishes in Devens is experiencing the highest demand in their 42 year history?  1,046 households reached out to them, multiple times, for support in 2025.  The Westford Food Pantry supports over 150 local families.  At a time when food insecurity is rising and grocery prices remain high, the cuts in federal funding of nutrition programs such as SNAP will take food assistance away from millions who need it, many of them children and the elderly. 

Donate Food/Items at Mass. Donations are collected at Mass and brought to the Westford Food Pantry (from St. Catherine’s) and Loaves & Fishes (from St. Anne’s).

Volunteer to Deliver Food/Items.  The Social Justice Ministry is looking to expand the volunteer list to help deliver collected food/items to the Westford Food Pantry. If interested email SocialJusticeMinistry@BlessedTrinityCatholic.org.

Assist our Local Food Pantries:  Discover the variety of ways you can help our local pantries by visiting the Westford Food Pantry and Loaves and Fishes.

Become an Advocate. Learn about essential anti-hunger policies and how to contact your elected representatives. Organizations like Project Bread and Feeding America connect people and communities to big-impact federal nutrition programs and advocate for equitable policies.  The Greater Boston Food Bank is a member of Feeding America.

The Greater Boston Food Bank’s Fifth Statewide Food Access Report 2025

Catholic Social Teaching and the Right to Food in the United States