Key facts
- Anti-hunger advocate Liz Wills-O'Gilvie, 63, has been fasting for 15 days.
- She is protesting cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) enacted by President Donald Trump.
- Wills-O'Gilvie aims to pressure Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey to increase state funding for SNAP.
- Massachusetts has seen a nearly 182,000 person decrease in SNAP enrollment.
- The advocate is consuming only water, electrolytes, and glucose pills and intends to continue indefinitely.
An anti-hunger advocate in Massachusetts, Liz Wills-O'Gilvie, 63, has been fasting for 15 days to protest cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) implemented by President Donald Trump. Wills-O'Gilvie is consuming only water, electrolytes, and glucose pills, aiming to pressure Governor Maura Healey to increase state funding for the program.
According to U.S. Department of Agriculture data, over 5.3 million people nationwide have lost SNAP benefits since Trump's administration enacted changes. In Massachusetts, the Department of Transitional Assistance reports a nearly 182,000 person decrease in SNAP enrollment, including approximately 65,000 children. Wills-O'Gilvie stated that DTA staff are overwhelmed, leading to people losing benefits because they cannot reach caseworkers.
Wills-O'Gilvie, who directs the Springfield Food Policy Council and Gardening the Community, has lupus and hypoglycemia. She has met with state legislators and spoken with Governor Healey, who told her she was working on the issue. Wills-O'Gilvie has indicated her intention to continue the fast indefinitely.