Dining Out

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Restaurants step up to feed S.N.A.P. families during shutdown

  • Posted by Dining Out November 1, 2025 - Filed in News - #Dining Out  #restaurants  #Pepe's Italian Restaurant  #The Clam Box  #American Flatbread  - 6,244 views


    Pepe's Italian Restaurant in Worcester (Facebook)

    WORCESTER — With the federal government shutdown halting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (S.N.A.P.) benefits, restaurants in Central Massachusetts are stepping up to make sure families don’t go hungry.

    In East Brookfield, The Clam Box has launched its Community Cares Project, offering free pasta dinners to go for families affected by the loss of S.N.A.P. benefits — no questions asked. The restaurant is also inviting community support through prepaid meals, monetary donations, and drop-offs of nonperishables for its “Take It or Leave It” box. Pickup is in East Brookfield. Full details are on the Clam Box Facebook post: The Clam Box — Community Cares Project.

    In Worcester, Pepe’s Italian Restaurant says it will donate 5 family meals a day to anyone in need and will match any sponsored meal donations. “We need to come together as a community and help each other,” the announcement reads. Families can call Pepe’s at 508-755-1978 to request or pick up a meal. See the full statement here: Pepe’s Italian Restaurant — Facebook.

    American Flatbread’s Worcester Hearth is offering 1 free small Medicine Wheel pizza per party, per day to anyone showing a S.N.A.P. card, starting November 1st and continuing for the duration of the shutdown. The offer is takeout only, subject to availability, and does not apply to delivery-app orders. The initiative also includes the company’s Brighton, Mass., and Rockport, Maine locations. Read more: American Flatbread — Facebook.

    Note: We will update this list as more restaurants and community groups join the effort. Feel free to let us know in the comments.

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