Senator Sal DiDomenico spent time volunteering and speaking at a Feed the Children event in Chelsea this fall. DiDomenico spoke about the importance of this event and how much of a difference it will make by providing food, personal care items, and Disney Children's books to 800 families struggling with food insecurity in Chelsea. DiDomenico said, “I want to thank Feed the Children, and Price Rite Marketplace for investing in these critical resources for our neighbors in need.”

This event marks the 8th stop of a 10 city Feeding Minds & Bodies Tour and this stop included local non-profit partners like the Salvation Army and the Boys & Girls Club of Chelsea.   

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DiDomenico’s 2013 legislation started the fund that made this investment possible

This September, Senator Sal DiDomenico visited the East Boston Social Centers to celebrate new funding they received from the Healey-Driscoll Administration that focuses on improving early education and out-of-school time facilities throughout the Commonwealth.  In 2013, DiDomenico’s legislation was included in the Housing Bill to start this fund to ensure that there will be resources available to improve and repair early education facilities in Massachusetts.

In his remarks Senator DiDomenico said, “This organization provides critical early education services to families throughout my district, and I couldn’t be prouder to have played a part in ensuring they get the financial support they need.”

DiDomenico was joined by Early Education & Care (EEC) Commissioner Amy Kershaw, Secretary of Education, Patrick Tutwiler, State Representative Adrian Madaro, and leaders and staff from the East Boston Social Centers (EBSC). EBSC was one of 20 organizations across the state that received capital funding to renovate early education and out-of-school time program facilities that serve primarily low-income families.

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This summer, Senator Sal DiDomenico and his colleagues in the legislature enacted a $58 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2025. This budget was a victory for families and working people in his district and throughout the Commonwealth. Senator DiDomenico was especially proud to secure his amendments and priorities that invest significantly in food security programs throughout Massachusetts.

• Senator DiDomenico ensured that $42 million that was included for food services in the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program (MEFAP). DiDomenico also secured $250,000 in additional funding for the program’s operations services.

• For the fourth time since 2020, DiDomenico helped secure a 10% increase in cash benefits for low-income families. Because of these increases, low income families, older residents, and individuals with disabilities in Massachusetts receive around $100-$200 more each month in cash assistance benefits than they would have gotten without these historic investments. This will help countless people in need afford basic necessities like food, housing, and healthcare for themselves and their families.

• DiDomenico’s longtime priority, Universal School Meals, was fully funded again with a $170 million investment.

• The Hunger Free Campus Initiative was provided a $500,000 investment. DiDomenico has once again supported this important program priority that helps eliminate food insecurity on college campuses.

• $15 million was secured for the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP). Senator DiDomenico has ensured funding for this program which helps families buy healthy, local fruits and vegetables from farm vendors across the state.

• Senator DiDomenico also advocated for the inclusion of $15 million for Food Security Infrastructure Grants. These grants ensure that individuals and families throughout the Commonwealth have access to food, with a special focus on food that is produced locally.

“I couldn’t be prouder to have helped secure these investments which will assist people in need keep food on their table so they can survive and thrive in our state,” said Senator Sal DiDomenico. “It is my highest priority to ensure people all over my district and throughout the Commonwealth never have to worry about their next meal. These programs will go a long way towards eliminating hunger in our state.”