Newton Feels Impact Of Government Shutdown: Mayor

NEWTON, MA — As the partial Federal government shutdown heads toward day 30, people in Newton are starting to feel it - from veterans to a school committee member who works for the government, to anyone who receives SNAP benefits.

And the mayor wants to make sure folks know that there are food assistance programs in the city for anyone who might be feeling the squeeze.

Ways Newton is seeing impacts from the shutdown

• Veteran education benefits and burial benefits have been suspended.
• The schedule has changed for payments for those who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
• Newton’s Planning and Development Department is having trouble planning for Federal housing and community development projects, and any additional delays in appropriations could jeopardize our programs for vulnerable residents and put low-to-moderate income families at risk, according to the mayor.
• The department is also still working to make sure projects comply with Environmental Protection Agency regulations, but they are doing so without the usual EPA guidance, she said.

There are three Newton Food Pantries for anyone who is feeling the squeeze:

• Arabic Baptist Food Pantry, 187 Church St.
• Centre St. Food Pantry, 11 Homer St.
• Newton Food Pantry, 1000 Commonwealth Ave.

RELATED:

• Government Shutdown Prompts Brookline Shop To Offer Free Pasta

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Photo by Jenna Fisher / Patch. She can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).