Effort to save food benefits for immigrant families cut short (Boston Globe, 6/27/24)

June 27, 2024 | Samantha J. Gross, Globe Staff

The need for food — already heightened amid soaring inflation and expiring COVID-era benefits — has deepened in recent months after state-funded food benefits for legally present immigrants ran dry.

A last-ditch effort to save them fizzled in the State House on Wednesday after lawmakers rejected the proposal by not folding it into a wider amendment to a supplemental spending bill, sending a blow to those who serve the immigrant community.

Representative Antonio Cabral said he is hopeful he can attach the amendment to another piece of legislation before the legislative session ends July 31 or onto a spending bill that closes the books on the fiscal year, which usually gets passed in the fall.

“When they were in school, [immigrant children] had at least one or two meals. Right now that is not happening,” Cabral said. “I think it’s important to make sure no kid goes hungry in Massachusetts . . . this is the right thing to do.”