In many neighborhoods across the country, there are individuals—friends, family members, neighbors—who depend on SNAP benefits for food assistance. The ongoing government shutdown threatens to disrupt access to these crucial programs, putting millions of Americans at risk of food insecurity. In response, compassionate community members and local businesses are taking action to fill the gaps, even in small but meaningful ways.
Judicial orders have required the government to use emergency funds to partially cover November’s SNAP food aid, though recipients still face delays in receiving benefits originally planned for early in the month.
Tee Tran, owner of Monster Pho, a Vietnamese restaurant in Oakland, California, knows these struggles personally. Arriving as a Vietnamese boat person in 1989, Tran witnessed his mother juggling multiple jobs and relying on SNAP to feed their family. Now, he offers free meals to children who rely on SNAP and provides discounts for their parents, motivated by empathy and memory of his own hardships.
Despite community goodwill, food banks and charities warn that these efforts cannot replace the scale and reach of SNAP benefits. Stefanie Shuman, Communications Director for Food Bank For New York City, stresses that no food bank can fully offset the absence of SNAP distributions.
Kevin Cassidy, owner of KC’s Pizza & Wings on Long Island, demonstrated a community spirit by offering free meals to anyone showing a SNAP or EBT card. His social media post drew overwhelming support and donations, allowing him to collaborate with local food banks to distribute grocery gift cards and prepared meals.
Tran’s business has been hit hard by external pressures such as tariffs and reduced customer spending, yet he remains committed to assisting SNAP families without risking his livelihood.
Food banks emphasize that monetary donations are often more effective than direct food contributions, as financial resources can be used to purchase food in bulk, stretching each dollar into multiple meals. For instance, in New York City, a single dollar can provide up to five meals through food bank operations.
Additionally, many employers match employee donations to food assistance organizations, amplifying the impact of individual contributions. Given rising demand and increased food costs, financial support is vital for food banks to continue serving their communities.
Online platforms have also emerged where volunteers act as “grocery buddies,” assisting families who face disruption in benefits by helping shop, coordinate gift card use, or provide other support.
For those contributing food, food banks recommend donating non-perishable items such as canned proteins (chicken, tuna, salmon), pasta, rice, and also hygiene products like diapers and feminine care products—items often overlooked but critical for families’ budgets.
Advocates urge people to contact their local representatives to voice concerns about the shutdown, as some state and local governments try to bridge the gap left by federal SNAP delays but cannot fully cover all needs.
“There’s no single face to hunger,” notes Shuman, “but often it’s working families whose wages have not kept pace with living costs who suffer the most.”
