Bristol Basic Needs Center

As you may know, federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are set to expire November 1, 2025. We know this change will impact many of you directly and want to share how Bristol is here to support you. 

I need help! What resources are available if SNAP benefits are no longer available beginning November 1?

Bristol-Specific Resources

• Starting Monday, November 3, 2025, any Bristol community member can show their valid EBT card and their Bristol Campus Card in the Fall River cafeteria and Hawk's Nest to receive four food items for free each day. Many thanks to the College’s vendor Epicurean Feast for this partnership.
  
  • Current Bristol students and employees can request their Campus Card by completing the online form.
• The College has a limited number of grocery store gift cards available upon request for students whose SNAP benefits have been impacted. To request a gift card, please complete the SNAP/EBT Supplemental Gift Card Request form. You will be asked to upload a photo of your SNAP/EBT card when submitting the form. Gift cards will be available for distribution at all of our campus locations.
• Watch your Bristol inbox and the events calendar in myBristol for more information about additional food resources.
• Check out the Bristol Basic Needs Center webpage for information about resources related to food, housing, financial issues, and more. Contact the Basic Needs Center via email at BasicNeeds@BristolCC.edu or phone at 774.357.2835.

Resources for Massachusetts Residents

• Explore food options available via Massachusetts 211 HELPSteps
• Contact Project Bread's FoodSource Hotline at 800.645.8333 to help navigate immediate hunger. You can call or text Project Bread’s Food Source Hotline to receive information about food resources in their area or talk with a Project Bread counselor. The hotline is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
  
  • SNAP beneficiaries are also eligible for the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP). Learn more on the Health Incentives Program webpage.
• Use the FoodFinder tool to search for food pantries near you by entering your zip code and clicking the magnifying glass.

Resources for Rhode Island Residents

• Use the Rhode Island Community Food Bank’s tool to find food and support programs across the state.
• Call Rhode Island 211 by dialing 2-1-1, or use the chat feature on their homepage. You can also browse their Resource Directory.
• Use the FoodFinder tool to search for food pantries near you by entering your zip code and clicking the magnifying glass.

How can I get involved to support the Bristol community?

• Volunteer at the Bristol Mobile Food Market scheduled for November 13, 2025 at your campus location by completing the Volunteer Sign Up form. There are already over 500 registrants signed up to receive groceries at the November market and we anticipate more –volunteer help is desperately needed!
• Donate money to your local food bank or to Bristol’s partner, the Greater Boston Food Bank. Each dollar donated to a food bank purchases between $5 and $10 worth of food, depending on your location, so your monetary donation has a huge impact.

More information about the federal government shutdown and impact on SNAP is available from the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI).

We are committed to supporting our Bristol community during this time and want to ensure that no one goes hungry. If you need any further assistance, please reach out to Ren Deysher-Fernandez, Bristol's Basic Needs Coordinator, at BasicNeeds@BristolCC.edu.