On Thursday, Congressman Jim McGovern (D, Massachusetts) 'End Hunger Now' tour made a stop at Lorraine's Soup Kitchen and Pantry in Chicopee. McGovern was joined by fellow Massachusetts Congressman Richard Neal (D), Chicopee Mayor John Vieau and other local elected representatives. McGovern blamed President Trump and the Republican controlled Congress for the hunger crisis, "I've been a lifelong champion for ending hunger and I can tell you right now that we are going in the wrong direction. Nearly 100,000 people in this state are at risk of losing food assistance because this president and House Republicans passed their Big, Ugly Bill. And when they did that, they stole nearly $200 billion in food assistance."

Chicopee Mayor John Vieau said a large number of Chicopee residents are struggling this winter, "The struggles here in Chicopee are real and if you want to show an example of that, come here, come here any day at 4 o'clock and you'll see the line. Come here during the day and see the pantry as people keep coming because they're really struggling with all of the other expenses in their life like was previously mentioned."

Chicopee State Senator Adam Gomez (D, Hampden) said in his remarks that the state is looking to pick up the slack after federal cuts, "Here in the city of Chicopee, Lorraine's Kitchen has been a place where children all the way up to our elderly community are able to come and get a hot meal every single day. Our governor has issued a bold statement and bold investment on investing in food insecurity."

State Representative Shirley Arriaga (D) of the 8th Hampden District called for action, "How many families across our Commonwealth, across our district are going to sleep hungry in a nation where we have billions and billions of dollars and we do so much good? However, we cannot prioritize feeding our American folks who are going hard to work, our children, our seniors, our veterans in this great country of ours?"