Trump’s food stamp cuts trigger 15-day hunger protest by Massachusetts advocate

World Donald Trumphuman rightsTop Newsusa Trump’s food stamp cuts trigger 15-day hunger protest by Massachusetts advocate Trump Says Ceasefire Deal With Iran Over And Tensions Spiral After New Strikes Relevant News Trump’s food stamp cuts trigger 15-day hunger protest by Massachusetts advocate 16 August 2026 Children in serious condition after mother drowns at Larnaca beach 16 August 2026 Cyprus safety practices showcased in global Vision Zero workplace campaign 16 August 2026 newsroom 16 August 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber Massachusetts anti-hunger advocate Liz Wills-O’Gilvie says she has gone without food for 15 days in an effort to pressure Governor Maura Healey to increase funding for the state’s shrinking food assistance programme. SNAP, commonly referred to as food stamps, is the main US government programme helping low-income households pay for groceries. Eligible recipients receive benefits that can be used to buy food, with the program funded by the federal government and administered by individual states. Wills-O’Gilvie, 63, has consumed only water, electrolytes and glucose tablets during the fast, which she says is intended to highlight growing food insecurity following cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programme, known as SNAP. “I know what hunger looks and feels like,” said Wills-O’Gilvie, who heads the Springfield Food Policy Council and food justice organisation Gardening the Community. More than 5.3 million people across the United States have lost SNAP benefits since President Donald Trump introduced sweeping changes to the programme through his 2025 tax and spending law, according to US Department of Agriculture data. The cuts have come as higher grocery prices put further pressure on low-income households ahead of November’s midterm elections. States have moved to implement the new rules, with some tightening the SNAP application process to avoid federal penalties linked to incorrect benefit calculations. Massachusetts’ Department of Transitional Assistance, which administers SNAP in the state, said enrolment has fallen by nearly 182,000 people, including almost 65,000 children. Wills-O’Gilvie said DTA staff are overwhelmed and some people are losing benefits because they cannot reach caseworkers. Healey appointed her last year to a state Anti-Hunger Task Force created after Trump’s law was passed. She said she spoke with Healey last week and that the governor told her she was working on the issue. DTA data show daily calls to the agency have risen by 9% since last year. About 47% of callers are now unable to get through, compared with around 37% previously. Neither the DTA nor Healey’s office responded to requests for comment. Wills-O’Gilvie, who has lupus and hypoglycaemia, said the fast has left her unable to drive. She has also met state legislators at her home. “I can’t let people down,” Wills-O’Gilvie said, adding that she intends to continue going without food indefinitely. (Reuters) Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Children in serious condition after mother drowns at Larnaca beach Cyprus safety practices showcased in global Vision Zero workplace campaign Cyprus banking sector enters growth phase centered on AI adoption, digital evolution, and compliance Paid leave in Cyprus: How many days you are entitled to and what employers must pay Cyprus air traveler complaints fall in 2026 despite lingering communication delays and compensation disputes Conference exposes severe exploitation and systemic abuse of foreign workers in Cyprus hospitality sector Unstable weather brings relief from heatwave as rains, storms, and hail hit interior and mountain areas Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.