Starting Nov. 1, 2025, nearly 2,500 Watertown residents who receive federal food assistance funds will likely lose hundreds of dollars in SNAP benefits. Food pantries, non-profits and other groups in the City are gearing up to try to fill the gap.
The freeze in SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits, formerly known as Food Stamps, comes amid the shutdown of the Federal government. In Watertown, 1,674 households and 2,497 individuals receive SNAP, according to Watertown Community Wellness Program Manager Stephanie Venizelos.
The average household receives $332 a month from SNAP, and families with children receive and average of $574, according to the USDA website. The money can be used for groceries such as fruits and vegetables, meat and eggs, dairy products, bread and cereal, snack foods, and non-alcoholic drinks. SNAP benefits can be used at supermarkets (including Stop & Shop, Star, Roche Bros., and Shaw’s), some pharmacies (including CVS and Walgreen), and large stores such as Target, BJ’s and Costco.
Venizelos said that people receiving SNAP would lose federally funded benefits, but will still receive dollars from state programs.
“SNAP will likely be frozen, but some benefits will still be available,” Venizelos said.
People signed up for SNAP also automatically get HIP (Health Incentives Program) funds. Venizelos noted that people who have signed up for the SNAP CSA program, where they get a box of produce each month from local farms, will continue to get their deliveries because the program is funded with HIP dollars.
People have to sign up for the CSA program, and Venizelos said those who have not signed up can contact her to find out how to do so (email svenizelos@watertown-ma.gov).
More Help
With benefits being frozen, more people are expected to use the two food pantries in Watertown. The Watertown Food Pantry (80 Mt. Auburn St.) is open Tuesdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. (Call 857-202-0140 for more information, to volunteer, and to donate.) The Watertown Catholic Collaborative Food Pantry (770 Mt. Auburn St.) is open Thursdays from 10 a.m.-11:45 a.m. The Catholic Collaborative Food Pantry has a Amazon wishlist for food items! (Call
617-926-9680 for more information)
Another option is the Watertown Community Fridge, which offers free food 24/7 and operates on the principle of “Take what you need, give what you can.” It is located at 80 Mt. Auburn St.
Venizelos encourages people looking to help out to donate food items, money, or even run a food drive to help the food pantries. The pantries accept non-expired, non-perishable items (cans and other packaged food) Click here to see a list of suggested items to be donated.
The Watertown Community Foundation set up a spot on its website to donate to Watertown’s food pantries. Click here to see it.
At least one restaurant is offering free meals to residents. Beginning Oct. 30, Ritcey East is offering frozen meals though its online ordering portal (click here). The restaurant at 208 Waverley Ave. is also running a community food drive. People who bring in any non-perishable food donation during regular business hours and will get a coupon for a free order of fried pickles, according to the Watertown Business Coalition newsletter.
Changing Situation
More local efforts will be starting soon and there is still a possibility that the state will provide additional assistance to replace the frozen SNAP funds, Venizelos said.
The City of Watertown is looking at ways to provide more opportunities for people on SNAP to access food, but the details have not been worked out. She plans to put out a newsletter in the next few days with details and more information about food assistance and how to help. Sign up for the Live Well Watertown and the Watertown Farmers Market newsletters here.