Council members and community partners told the Council for Human Services on April 24 that food access, in-home supports and medical-transportation systems on Nantucket are under pressure.

Hospital social worker Sarah Wright said callers are reporting rising rents, eviction risk and increasing food insecurity. Wright noted the hospital social work office helps residents apply for housing aid and links people to Nantucket Food Fuel and Rental Assistance but cannot replicate a full mainland continuum of care. "The hospital is a safe place. And if you need help, we are here to help," Wright said.

Representatives working with the island's food pantry said the Boston Food Bank has curtailed "free pallets" of supplemental donations that historically filled gaps in pantry stock. One speaker said that loss is an early sign of supply strain at the regional food bank and that the local pantry must find a new facility by next summer because its lease ends; she estimated roughly 350 family units could be affected if a replacement location is not secured. The group reported fundraising and relocation planning to maintain weekly food distributions.

On medical transportation, council members described a nascent transportation task force that met recently and includes the hospital, Nantucket Food Fuel and Rental Assistance, the Community Foundation, NERDA, Highline and other local partners. The task force aims to coordinate on-island and off-island nonemergency medical travel, reduce reliance on high-cost emergency flights and improve awareness of existing assistance such as senior medical travel funds. Bolchick and others said the task force will meet in May and resume regular meetings in the fall.

The council also highlighted a community partner event: a May 10 awareness screening at the Atheneum for a program called "Horses for Mental Health in the Herd," which received a youth behavioral-health grant seed award. Bolchick described the provider's on-Cape operation and invited the council and public to attend; materials and a QR code for donations will be available at the event.

Council members noted broader funding pressures: federal Title III grant cycles were paused, potentially affecting Meals on Wheels allocations; and local nonprofits already report program cuts because of funding shifts. One council member said the Community Foundation recently increased its local grant capacity from $500,000 to $1 million, which may help fill gaps.

The meeting also reminded council members that three seats (Suzanne Keating, Tara Risteri and Amanda Rosette) are up for reappointment; the town mailed notices and the application deadline for committee membership is May 16, with select-board appointments to follow and new terms beginning July 1.