Cheryl Shondek, chief operating officer of the Greater Boston Food Bank, opened the 20th annual Chain of Giving at the food banks distribution warehouse and asked attendees to form a human chain to unload trucks.

The event combined a holiday distribution effort with emergency appeals after organizers and officials said a pause in federal SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits has driven a spike in hunger. "A holiday meal is now a luxury that many of our neighbors cannot afford," Shondek said, and she told the crowd the Greater Boston Food Bank expects to distribute nearly 50,000 turkeys and 100,000 chickens this holiday season.

Catherine D'Amato, president and CEO of the Greater Boston Food Bank, said the organization has delivered more than 100,000,000 pounds of fresh food across eastern Massachusetts and described heightened demand tied to federal changes. "We're in an unprecedented situation," D'Amato said, noting broad local pressure on pantries and that the food bank had "lost 4,000,000 from the federal government ourselves in food," as organizers seek to replace shortfalls through donations and operations.

Jim O'Leary, vice president of retail operations at Shaw's and Star Market, announced that the Shaw's and Star Market Foundation is donating $100,000 to the Greater Boston Food Bank and thanked thousands of company associates volunteering at local pantries. "There is no greater cause than the fight to end hunger," O'Leary said.

Mayor Michelle Wu praised longstanding local programs that feed residents year-round, including free school meals and farmers-market partnerships, and described an emergency fund created with the Boston Foundation, the Greater Boston Food Bank and other partners. "The infrastructure has been built so strong and improved every single year," Wu said, urging continued community support and volunteerism.

Governor Maura Healey called the federal decision to withhold SNAP benefits "unconscionable," said state legal action has been taken and warned that U.S. Department of Agriculture guidance could mean partial or delayed benefit payments for some households. Healey urged residents to contact local pantries, donate money and volunteer. She also directed people seeking help to Project Bread's hotline and said state agencies are preparing to distribute benefits as soon as federal funds are released.

Speakers repeatedly pressed the immediate need for cash and volunteers because many pantries require funds to buy food at scale. Organizers and officials also highlighted other program impacts: notices about heating assistance, rising health-care premiums and potential WIC disruptions.

The event concluded with logistics instructions for the volunteer human chain and additional fundraising appeals from retail partners; organizers asked those who cannot volunteer to donate online at gbfb.org or through local campaigns.

Note: The transcript lists a range of donor and partner organizations that contributed food or logistical support (Shaw's and Star Market; Stop and Shop; Wegmans; Walmart; Table Talk Pies; C and S Wholesale Distribution; Turtle Lot Produce; and others). Specific amounts or the timing for distribution beyond the holiday season were not specified in the remarks reproduced in the transcript.