Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards Nearly $500,000 to Colleges and Universities to Help Fight Campus Hunger

Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards Nearly $500,000 to Colleges and Universities to Help Fight Campus Hunger 

Funds are estimated to serve 36,000 students across Massachusetts  

BOSTON – The Healey Driscoll Administration has awarded nearly $500,000 across 30 colleges and universities in Massachusetts to help with their existing efforts to fight student hunger. The funds are estimated to support college and university anti-hunger initiatives, such as food pantries, food lockers and grab-and-go stations, grocery and meal vouchers, SNAP outreach and cafeteria meal swipes, reaching an estimated 36,000 students. The Hunger Free Campus Initiative grants serve nearly all of Massachusetts’ public community colleges, state universities, and University of Massachusetts campuses, as well as three Minority Serving Institutions (MSI), including Cambridge College, Franklin Cummings Tech and Urban College of Boston. These grants are funded through the fiscal year 2026 state budget. 

The year’s Hunger Free Campus Initiative grants arrive at a time when President Trump and Congressional Republicans passed a bill that makes severe changes to SNAP and may result in more than 150,000 Massachusetts residents having their SNAP benefits reduced or eliminated, including students. Earlier this month, President Trump became the first President in United States history to withhold SNAP benefits during a federal government shutdown.  

“We want college students to be able to focus on succeeding in school and their career, but they can’t do that if they are facing hunger,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Far too many students on our campuses were already struggling to afford food, and President Trump and Congressional Republicans’ cuts to SNAP and other food assistance programs have made things even worse. In Massachusetts, we are committed to preventing everyone, including our students, from going hungry.” 

“Too many Massachusetts students face difficult choices every day about paying for rent, transportation, child care and food,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “These Hunger Free Campus Initiative grants are part of our support for college students who are working hard to earn a better living through higher education.” 

The Department of Higher Education (DHE) has a Basic Needs Security initiative to help students with a range of basic needs, including food insecurity. DHE supports institutions of higher education by helping to facilitate partnerships with regional non-profits on meeting basic needs of college students who are housing and food insecure, most often through Youth Service Providers (YSPs) and local food banks.  

“I want to thank all of our higher education partners and campuses for stepping up over the past few weeks to support students’ food security needs as Washington continues to play politics with food,” said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “Higher education should be accessible to everyone, and that means we need to lift barriers like food insecurity. These grants are part of the state’s efforts to ensure all students have equal opportunities to succeed in college.” 

“Our campuses are working hard to give students better access to food, and that work has become more challenging amid the disruption and changes to SNAP benefits,” said Commissioner of Higher Education Noe Ortega. “I’m grateful that the state is supporting ongoing campus food security efforts, like strengthening food pantries, supplying gift cards to local supermarkets, and offering meal swipes to students who must remain on campus during semester breaks. These hunger-free campus initiatives are essential to student success and well-being.”  

Governor Healey launched a new SNAP Response Hub webpage that has been shared with public college and university presidents, featuring a municipal-level map showing the impact of SNAP across Massachusetts, information on where residents can access food assistance, and ways community members and businesses can contribute. Learn more at Mass.gov/SNAPFreeze. 

The FY26 college and university projects being funded through the Hunger Free Campus Initiative grants are: 

Community Colleges    

• Berkshire Community College: $5,660   

• Bristol Community College: $29,630  

• Bunker Hill Community College: $33,897  

• Cape Cod Community College: $9,102   

• Greenfield Community College: $5,365   

• Holyoke Community College: $13,313  

• MassBay Community College: $12,262 

• Massasoit Community College: $15,573 

• Middlesex Community College: $18,221   

• Mount Wachusett Community College: $13,916   

• North Shore Community College: $19,514   

• Northern Essex Community College: $15,559   

• Quinsigamond Community College: $26,444   

• Roxbury Community College: $10,415 

• Springfield Technical Community College: $21,025 

State Universities    

• Bridgewater State University: $25,498   

• Fitchburg State University: $22,299  

• Framingham State University: $14,914   

• Massachusetts College of Art and Design: $4,204   

• Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts: $3,909   

• Salem State University: $18,815   

• Westfield State University: $12,370  

• Worcester State University: $15,885 

University of Massachusetts    

• UMass Amherst: $35,343   

• UMass Boston: $36,315   

• UMass Dartmouth: $14,920 

• UMass Lowell: $23,720 

Private Colleges    

• Cambridge College: $10,500  

• Franklin Cummings Tech: $2,539  

• Urban College of Boston: $2,111  

Statement of Support 

Senator Michael Rodrigues, Senate Chair of the Committee on Ways and Means:  

“I’ve worked closely with the Healey-Driscoll administration and my colleagues in the Legislature to invest in public higher education in the Commonwealth. I’m thrilled to see funding to address and combat student hunger in Massachusetts’s public colleges and universities. Bristol Community College, in my district in Fall River will receive almost $30,000 to support anti-hunger initiatives. The best practices for higher educational excellence do not just mean teachers and resources but also includes having adequate nutrition. This funding is especially meaningful with the federal government’s ongoing efforts to derail food security,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means.  

Senator Jo Comerford (D-Northampton), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Higher Education:  

“As the federal government makes unconscionable cuts to food assistance programs, state investments in our colleges and universities to fight student hunger become more important than ever. Thank you to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and my colleagues in the legislature for prioritizing hunger free campuses.” 

Representative Dave Rogers, House Chair of the Joint Committee on Higher Education:  

“Under the leadership of Speaker Mariano, the House of Representatives’ commitment to public higher education extends beyond the classroom. That is why the House funded the Hunger Free Campus Initiative. We are pleased to see this program benefit students in need and allow them to pursue their higher education goals.” 

Assistant Senate Majority Leader Joan B. Lovely:  

"I am pleased that these critical Hunger Free Campus Initiative grants have been released to public colleges and universities across the Commonwealth to address food insecurity. Ensuring that our students are able to address their nutritional needs is critical to their academic success, allowing them to thrive as they prepare for their future careers. Thank you to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for making these funds available and for your dedication to supporting students across Massachusetts. Thank you also to the many student advocates from across the Commonwealth who have advocated for this program to support the needs of their peers."  

Representative Andy Vargas:  

“Massachusetts has led the way in addressing student hunger. We continued investing in Universal School Meals after the pandemic, filling the need left by the federal government. And we know hunger doesn’t end once you enter college. As we continue to lower barriers to higher education, it is important that we ensure our residents have the tools to succeed in these new opportunities. Students should be hungry to learn in class, not hungry to eat. And as a state that values education, it’s important to address food insecurity and enable greater learning, workforce development, and unlock the full potential of every student. These grants greatly advance this effort.” 

University of Massachusetts President Marty Meehan: 

“Food insecurity on college campuses is a national issue, and we are so grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for making Massachusetts a leader in combatting it. The Hunger Free Campus Initiative will strengthen the efforts underway across the UMass campuses to support members of our community, especially through campus food pantries. These efforts will help us ensure no member of our community goes hungry, while taking actions that evidence shows improve student success, retention, and graduation rates.” 

Dr. Linda Thompson, president of Westfield State University, and Chair of the Massachusetts State Universities Council of Presidents: 

"Through a deep understanding of our local communities, our public state universities are committed to supporting the health and stability of our population. In response to recent events that have magnified the challenge of food insecurity for our students and their families, we are grateful for the Healey-Driscoll administration and state legislators. Their commitment to investing in the basic needs of our campus communities is a vital investment in our students' success and the long-term prosperity of our region." 

Dr. William Heineman, president of North Shore Community College and chair of the Community College Council of Presidents: 

“Our community colleges have long advocated for holistic student supports. We’re grateful for the Healey-Driscoll administration and the legislature for the hunger free campus grants – hungry students can’t learn, and student basic needs remains a top priority for our colleges.” 

Kate Adams, Greater Boston Food Bank Senior Public Policy Manager and Hunger Free Campus Coalition co-lead: 

“The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) applauds the Healey-Driscoll Administration and the legislature for continued leadership in addressing college hunger for low-income students through the Hunger Free Campus Initiative. We are proud that Massachusetts provides universal school meals to all K–12 students, but food insecurity does not end upon graduation. We know that food-secure college students are far more likely to complete their degrees and enter the workforce ready to succeed than their food-insecure peers. With 38% of public university and community college students in Massachusetts experiencing food insecurity, according to our 2025 statewide food access study, this investment comes at a critical time to help campuses meet growing demand and ensure every student has the nourishment they need to thrive.”