Chicago residents and restaurants are rallying together to provide meals for those left without Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funds, which were initially frozen amid the federal government shutdown. The shutdown has left thousands of families in Chicago's Near West Side neighborhood without access to groceries.
Manny's Cafeteria & Deli, a local restaurant with a reputation for its loyal clientele, was inundated with customers seeking free meals on Monday morning. The restaurant had planned to distribute 300 meals, which consisted of sandwiches, potato pancakes, and drinks, to people who didn't receive funds to buy groceries on November 1.
"I hope that the people who need help can get the help that they need, and there is clearly a need," said Dan Raskin, the owner of Manny's. "I'm hoping that other restaurants can step in and do the same thing."
Across the city, other restaurants and community groups are also offering free meals and pantry staples to those affected by the SNAP freeze. The Greater Chicago Food Depository has seen an increase in volunteers reaching out for help, and their warehouse is now fully booked for the rest of the year.
Kale My Name, a vegan restaurant in Albany Park, had already been serving free meals daily since Friday, despite the uncertainty surrounding SNAP benefits. Manager Tina Youkhana expressed disappointment that some families will still struggle to access groceries even with restored funding.
"Thanksgiving is coming up... We're supposed to help each other and be thankful for what we have," she said. "Even if we are getting some benefits back, it's still not enough."
Local residents are taking matters into their own hands, using social media to spread the word about food pantries and pop-ups in their neighborhoods. For example, Kitty Mortland started baking bread for her neighbors, distributing loaves at local "little free pantries" in an effort to make a tangible difference.
The temporary SNAP freeze highlights the level of need that will become even more apparent once restrictive rules kick in. As one single mother of two girls said, "I think that people have this idea that everybody in the system is lazy... I work a job. I'm a single mother... And I'm not just worried about me. It's my community."
With some benefits restored, but still uncertain, families like this mother of two are struggling to make ends meet. The outpouring of support from restaurants and residents alike serves as a reminder that even in the darkest times, community can come together to provide comfort and sustenance.
Manny's Cafeteria & Deli, a local restaurant with a reputation for its loyal clientele, was inundated with customers seeking free meals on Monday morning. The restaurant had planned to distribute 300 meals, which consisted of sandwiches, potato pancakes, and drinks, to people who didn't receive funds to buy groceries on November 1.
"I hope that the people who need help can get the help that they need, and there is clearly a need," said Dan Raskin, the owner of Manny's. "I'm hoping that other restaurants can step in and do the same thing."
Across the city, other restaurants and community groups are also offering free meals and pantry staples to those affected by the SNAP freeze. The Greater Chicago Food Depository has seen an increase in volunteers reaching out for help, and their warehouse is now fully booked for the rest of the year.
Kale My Name, a vegan restaurant in Albany Park, had already been serving free meals daily since Friday, despite the uncertainty surrounding SNAP benefits. Manager Tina Youkhana expressed disappointment that some families will still struggle to access groceries even with restored funding.
"Thanksgiving is coming up... We're supposed to help each other and be thankful for what we have," she said. "Even if we are getting some benefits back, it's still not enough."
Local residents are taking matters into their own hands, using social media to spread the word about food pantries and pop-ups in their neighborhoods. For example, Kitty Mortland started baking bread for her neighbors, distributing loaves at local "little free pantries" in an effort to make a tangible difference.
The temporary SNAP freeze highlights the level of need that will become even more apparent once restrictive rules kick in. As one single mother of two girls said, "I think that people have this idea that everybody in the system is lazy... I work a job. I'm a single mother... And I'm not just worried about me. It's my community."
With some benefits restored, but still uncertain, families like this mother of two are struggling to make ends meet. The outpouring of support from restaurants and residents alike serves as a reminder that even in the darkest times, community can come together to provide comfort and sustenance.
This is so heartbreaking to hear about all these families struggling to get by, especially with no SNAP funds. I'm glad to see local businesses stepping up and offering free meals 
It's amazing how one restaurant's initiative can inspire others to do the same. The whole community coming together like this is exactly what we need in times of crisis 
We should be thankful for people like Kitty Mortland who are taking it upon themselves to make a difference, even if it's just by baking bread and distributing it at local pantries 
️ It's not about blaming the system; it's about supporting each other 
i mean i know the gov shutdown is no joke but 300 meals from one place? thats just not enough like we need more than that kinda support, right? i feel for these single moms trying to raise their kids with no grocery funds, its heartbreaking. some ppl think theyre lazy but really its just hard work and circumstances 
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. This initiative not only showcases the city's resilience but also highlights the interconnectedness of our communities 
. I'm particularly impressed by local residents using social media to spread awareness about food pantries and pop-ups in their neighborhoods 
. It's a great example of grassroots activism that can make a tangible difference in people's lives 
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Let's keep spreading the word and supporting these initiatives! We can make a difference in our community one loaf of bread at a time 
I'm not surprised to see people rallying around these families who are already struggling. It's just a matter of time before the government screws things up again 
. I mean, think about it, they're freezing SNAP funds without even considering the consequences. It's like they expect everyone to just magically have money for groceries now 
. Newsflash: people need help and they need it now 
. And yeah, some restaurants are doing their part, but how long can that last? 
I'm sure there'll be a lot of unpaid bills down the line when these free meals dry up 
. The real question is, who's gonna step in then? Not like anyone else is gonna do it out of the goodness of their hearts 
.