Ahead of public food benefits running out for over a million Bay Staters on Saturday, Gov. Maura Healey announced Thursday that the state will advance a scheduled $4 million payment for food pantries — but is not tapping into the state’s reserves, despite calls from advocates to do so.

Almost every other state in the region has announced they’ll use state funds to cover Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Payment (SNAP) benefits for residents as the federal funds dry up amidst the ongoing federal government shutdown. President Donald Trump can also keep dollars flowing to the program by tapping into contingency funds, but has said he won’t, drawing ire from Democrats and other critics nationwide.

Healey said her administration will advance a monthly $4 million payment to food pantries, for

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