Food Bank Sets Record With 230-Person Chain

The 21st annual Chain of Giving at Greater Boston Food Bank passed hundreds of turkeys as demand for food assistance rises across Massachusetts.

Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in Philanthropy

Food Bank Sets Record With 230-Person Chain

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Greater Boston Food Bank held its 21st annual Chain of Giving event at its warehouse Thursday, where a record 230 participants formed a human chain to pass turkeys. The event, sponsored by the Shaw's and Star Market Foundation, kicks off a holiday season in which the food bank will distribute more than 54,000 turkeys across its Eastern Massachusetts network.

Why it matters

GBFB's latest statewide study found that 40% of Massachusetts households experienced food insecurity in 2025, up from 19% in 2019. The food bank says federal SNAP cuts are adding pressure on families already struggling with food, housing, utility and healthcare costs.

Greater Boston Food Bank supplies nearly 80% of the food distributed by its network of approximately 600 partners, which the food bank's statewide study places in context with 40% of Massachusetts households reporting food insecurity in 2025. The source does not report how the 54,000 turkeys will be allocated across the network or what share of households the holiday distribution will reach.

The players

Greater Boston Food Bank

Greater Boston Food Bank is the largest hunger-relief organization in Eastern Massachusetts, sourcing, warehousing and transporting food to a network of about 600 pantries and meal programs.

Kiame Mahaniah

Kiame Mahaniah serves as Massachusetts Secretary of Health and Human Services, overseeing the state's health and human service agencies, including those that administer public assistance programs.

Shaw's and Star Market Foundation

The Shaw's and Star Market Foundation is the charitable arm of the Shaw's and Star Market grocery chains, which support community food and hunger-relief programs in New England.

The details

Participants formed links of a chain through the food bank's warehouse and passed hundreds of turkeys as part of the event, which was sponsored by the Shaw's and Star Market Foundation. Massachusetts Secretary of Health and Human Services Kiame Mahaniah attended the event, which the food bank describes as a continuation of its robust response to hunger.

2019: Baseline year for the 19% household food insecurity rate
November 2025: New SNAP eligibility restrictions took effect in Massachusetts
September 2026: End of period in which more than 185,000 residents lost SNAP benefits
Thursday, November 12, 2026: 21st annual Chain of Giving held at GBFB warehouse

Policy Context

The November 2025 SNAP eligibility restrictions in Massachusetts coincide with a roughly doubling of household food insecurity since 2019, from 19% to 40%. The food bank's data shows the policy change tracking alongside an 18% drop in SNAP participation over the same period.

Households facing food insecurity in Eastern Massachusetts may seek help through the food bank's network of roughly 600 partner pantries and meal programs. Residents who lost SNAP benefits between November 2025 and September 2026 face fewer options for groceries and should check eligibility with state human services.

The takeaway

Rising food insecurity across Massachusetts shows that a single holiday event cannot close the gap, so donating or volunteering year-round with a local food pantry makes a lasting difference for families.