Massachusetts Anti-Hunger Advocate Fasts to Protest SNAP Cuts

A Massachusetts anti-hunger advocate has not eaten for 15 days in an effort to pressure Governor Maura Healey to increase state funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which has seen sharp enrollment declines due to federal policy changes.

Liz Wills-O'Gilvie, 63, who directs the Springfield Food Policy Council and the food justice group Gardening the Community, is consuming only water, electrolytes, and glucose pills. She was appointed by Healey last year to a state Anti-Hunger Task Force created after President Donald Trump's 2025 tax and spending law altered SNAP.

"I know what hunger looks and feels like," Wills-O'Gilvie said. She added that she intends to continue fasting indefinitely, saying, "I can't let people down."

According to U.S. Department of Agriculture data, more than 5.3 million people nationwide have lost SNAP benefits since the changes took effect. In Massachusetts, the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA), which administers the program, reports enrollment is down by nearly 182,000 people, including about 65,000 children.

Wills-O'Gilvie said DTA staff are overwhelmed, and many residents are losing benefits because they cannot reach caseworkers. DTA data shows a 9% increase in daily calls since last year, with about 47% of callers unable to connect, up from roughly 37%.

She said she spoke with Healey last week, who assured her she is working on the issue. Wills-O'Gilvie, who has lupus and hypoglycemia, is now unable to drive due to the fast and has been meeting with state legislators at her home.

Neither the DTA nor Healey's office responded to requests for comment.