POVERTY

The Western Massachusetts Network to End Homelessness reported that the number of homeless people in the four counties has risen by 17%.

An alarming number of Massachusetts school districts are struggling right now to balance budgets for the upcoming year. Significant job cuts and academic program cancellations are on the table.

Dozens of Massachusetts school districts are being told, later than usual in the school budget process, more state funding is being put in the House budget due to a "data" issue that shows more low-income students in schools than initially counted.

"Remedy Hall" in Williamstown, Massachusetts, gives a way items that other service groups don't, such as toothpaste, towels and crock pots.

The Massachusetts Legislature and Gov. Maura Healey last week quietly restored a policy to offer state-funded food benefits for immigrants who are in the U.S. legally, but who are not citizens.

Liz O'Gilvie of the Springfield Food Policy Council, as well as Gardening the Community, has made it her mission to address hunger and a shortage of fresh foods in western Massachusetts' largest city, including the Mason Square neighborhood.

Recently, for her 90th birthday, South Community Food Pantry director Mary Wheat asked the Pittsfield community to donate 900 boxes of cereal. Wheat said the response was overwhelming.

The coordinator for gleaning at the nonprofit Rachel’s Table of Western Massachusetts explains how volunteers harvest the remains left in farmers' fields.

Fruit Fair supermarket has received state funding to combat food deserts in Chicopee. Its owners say growing their own produce on site saves "food miles" and money.

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey vetoed $7.7 M in funding earlier this month, slated for state community action agencies. Now some lawmakers are asking House leadership to override the veto.