Simply Dental Management is holding a multi-practice food drive throughout Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Connecticut to support local food banks and community members affected by reductions in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
About 1.1 million residents in Massachusetts rely on SNAP assistance, and more than 150,000 are expected to lose their benefits entirely or receive reduced support, according to the company. State data cited in the announcement show that among those affected, 32 percent are children, 26 percent are elderly, and 31 percent are registered as disabled.
The food drive, running through November 24, invites donations of non-perishable food items at Simply Dental Management offices. Each participating practice has a goal of collecting more than 200 items, with thousands already contributed by staff and patients. The company stated that donations will go directly to local food banks in the surrounding communities.
Dr. Sam Alkhoury, CEO of Simply Dental Management, said, “We had no idea the lack of SNAP benefits would have happened at the same time. We initially did this to help our local food pantries in need in the midst of the Thanksgiving holiday, but there's an even more pressing need now, more than ever before.”
According to the company, this initiative is part of its “Simply Doing Good” program, which has included past efforts such as Toys for Tots collections and school supply drives. Participating offices include a range of general, pediatric, and orthodontic practices across the three states.
The company encourages the public to contribute non-perishable food items at any of its participating locations through November 24.
