Anti-hunger campaigner Liz Wills-O'Gilvie, 63, has abstained from food for 15 days in an effort to urge Governor Maura Healey to expand funding for Massachusetts' dwindling food stamp assistance benefits.

By consuming only water, electrolytes, and glucose pills, Wills-O'Gilvie aims to bring attention to escalating food insecurity caused by cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

"I know what (hunger) looks and feels like," said Wills-O'Gilvie, director of the Springfield Food Policy Council and the food justice group Gardening the Community.

More than 5.3 million individuals across the country have lost SNAP benefits since President Donald Trump enacted major overhauls to the program in his 2025 tax and spending law, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture figures.

Rising food insecurity combined with higher grocery prices has put heavy pressure on low-income families nationwide ahead of November's midterm elections.

States across the country are rushing to implement the updates, with several tightening SNAP application procedures to avoid new federal penalties tied to incorrect benefit calculations.

In Massachusetts, the Department of Transitional Assistance reported that SNAP enrollment dropped by nearly 182,000 individuals, including roughly 65,000 children.

Agency staff are overwhelmed and residents are losing aid because caseworkers cannot be reached, said Wills-O'Gilvie, who was appointed by Healey to a statewide Anti-Hunger Task Force formed last July after Trump's legislation passed. She said she spoke last week with Healey, who promised she was addressing the matter.

According to agency figures, the DTA has seen a 9% increase in daily call volume since last year, with roughly 47% unable to connect, up from 37%.

The DTA and Healey's office did not reply to requests for comment.

Now unable to drive due to her fasting, Wills-O'Gilvie, who suffers from lupus and hypoglycemia, said she has met with state lawmakers inside her own home.

"I can't let people down," said Wills-O'Gilvie, adding that she plans to forgo food indefinitely.