Chicago's Restaurant Community Steps Up to Help Those Left Without SNAP Funds Amid Shutdown Uncertainty
As the federal government shutdown entered its fourth week, Chicago residents and restaurants came together to provide meals for those left without funds due to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) cutoff. On Monday morning at Manny's Cafeteria & Deli in the Near West Side, a line of individuals waited outside the restaurant for free meals, as the establishment had announced its intention to give away 300 sandwiches, potato pancakes, and drinks.
"I hope that people who need help can get the help they need," said Dan Raskin, owner of Manny's. "I'm hoping other restaurants can step in and do the same thing." Despite some partial funding restoration for SNAP benefits this week, uncertainty surrounding the rollout of these funds has led community groups and residents to take matters into their own hands.
In Albany Park, Kale My Name offered free meals daily between 3 pm and 5 pm since Friday. However, manager Tina Youkhana expressed disappointment over the delayed distribution of some SNAP benefits, even if some were restored, saying "Thanksgiving is coming up... We're supposed to help each other and be thankful for what we have." The restaurant's efforts demonstrate a growing sense of solidarity among Chicagoans.
Kale My Name received support from customers like Evian Rose, a 31-year-old single mother working in home care. With about $600 in SNAP benefits monthly, Rose still frequently visits food pantries to feed her two young daughters. She expressed concern over those struggling without assistance, saying "I think people have this idea that everybody in the system is lazy... I'm not just worried about me; it's my community."
Meanwhile, Kitty Mortland, another Albany Park resident, took action by baking bread for her neighbors who were affected by the SNAP cutoff. She plans to distribute these loaves at local 'little free pantries.' Her efforts underscore a growing desire among Chicagoans to find tangible ways to support those in need.
The Greater Chicago Food Depository is experiencing an increase in volunteers seeking help, with shifts filled well into the year ahead. Camerin Mattson, communications manager, noted that this surge is typical around holidays but pointed to the SNAP freeze as a stark reminder of the level of need once more restrictive policies are implemented.
As uncertainty surrounding SNAP benefits distribution persists, Chicago's residents and restaurants will continue to rally together to provide support for those left without funds. Their efforts demonstrate a strong sense of community resilience in the face of adversity.
As the federal government shutdown entered its fourth week, Chicago residents and restaurants came together to provide meals for those left without funds due to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) cutoff. On Monday morning at Manny's Cafeteria & Deli in the Near West Side, a line of individuals waited outside the restaurant for free meals, as the establishment had announced its intention to give away 300 sandwiches, potato pancakes, and drinks.
"I hope that people who need help can get the help they need," said Dan Raskin, owner of Manny's. "I'm hoping other restaurants can step in and do the same thing." Despite some partial funding restoration for SNAP benefits this week, uncertainty surrounding the rollout of these funds has led community groups and residents to take matters into their own hands.
In Albany Park, Kale My Name offered free meals daily between 3 pm and 5 pm since Friday. However, manager Tina Youkhana expressed disappointment over the delayed distribution of some SNAP benefits, even if some were restored, saying "Thanksgiving is coming up... We're supposed to help each other and be thankful for what we have." The restaurant's efforts demonstrate a growing sense of solidarity among Chicagoans.
Kale My Name received support from customers like Evian Rose, a 31-year-old single mother working in home care. With about $600 in SNAP benefits monthly, Rose still frequently visits food pantries to feed her two young daughters. She expressed concern over those struggling without assistance, saying "I think people have this idea that everybody in the system is lazy... I'm not just worried about me; it's my community."
Meanwhile, Kitty Mortland, another Albany Park resident, took action by baking bread for her neighbors who were affected by the SNAP cutoff. She plans to distribute these loaves at local 'little free pantries.' Her efforts underscore a growing desire among Chicagoans to find tangible ways to support those in need.
The Greater Chicago Food Depository is experiencing an increase in volunteers seeking help, with shifts filled well into the year ahead. Camerin Mattson, communications manager, noted that this surge is typical around holidays but pointed to the SNAP freeze as a stark reminder of the level of need once more restrictive policies are implemented.
As uncertainty surrounding SNAP benefits distribution persists, Chicago's residents and restaurants will continue to rally together to provide support for those left without funds. Their efforts demonstrate a strong sense of community resilience in the face of adversity.
I'm literally so touched by what's happening in Chicago rn! Like I know the gov't shutdown is super frustrating but to see ppl comin together like this? It's everything and more 
My friend's sister works at a food bank in LA & she's always talkin about how hard it is for people who don't have enough money, so to see ppl step up like this? It's beautiful 
I'm definitely addin some of these restaurants to my fave list cuz I'd love to support 'em 
Also can we pls talk about Tina Youkhana tho? She's literally the queen of kindness & empathy 
Her restaurant is doin so much good for her community & it's just... ugh, I'm gettin all teary-eyed 
I think it's kinda crazy how ppl are stepping up to help those affected by the SNAP cutoff, but we're also seeing a lot of judgement and stigma around it 
Like, people need help, and they shouldn't be shamed for that. We should be supporting each other, not turning our backs. And yeah, I get it, some ppl might think everyone in the system is lazy, but let's focus on being understanding instead of harsh 
its not rite that we have 2 beg 4 help from ppl w/ their hearts. i think u know whats rite, tina at kale my name, when u say thanksgiving is coming up & we r supposed 2 b thankful for what we hv 
. i got so much respect 4 ppl like u who r makin a diff thru small acts of kindness, like kitty mortland bakin bread 4 her neighbors 
. & shes not even gettin any recognition 4 it 
. chicagoans r come together like this cuz we care, we got empathy & compassion 
.
chicagoans are literally the best! seeing all these restaurants step up to help people in need is everything 
and i love how evian rose, that single mom working in home care, is speaking out against people judging those on snap benefits - it's all about community love 
and kitty mortland baking bread for her neighbors? pure gold 
it's clear that chicagoans are all about supporting each other during tough times 
. And I'm loving the initiative of Kitty Mortland baking bread for her neighbors, it's all about showing some love and care 
#LittleFreePantries #NeighborhoodSupport.
#SNAPproblems. And Evian Rose's words hit home for me too, the stigma around poverty is real but we shouldn't be perpetuating that 
#ChicagoCares. And kudos to Camerin Mattson and the Greater Chicago Food Depository for having a strong volunteer program in place 
just saw this story about chicago restaurants stepping up 2 help ppl w/o snap funds 
It's not like they're lazy or anything. And restaurants like Manny's and Kale My Name stepping up to give away free meals is amazing - it shows that there's still so much kindness out there 
i mean chicago is like a city that always comes together, and it's amazing to see restaurants and community groups stepping up to help each other out. it's crazy how some ppl think those in need are lazy tho... like evian rose said it best, it's not just about her or her community, it's about all of us who care about each other 
I mean, what's surprising here? Not that people are coming together to help those in need, that's just basic human decency, right? 
But it's actually kinda impressive how quickly restaurants and individuals are stepping up to fill the gap left by the government's botched SNAP funding. 300 sandwiches a day is no joke! 
️
And Evian Rose's comment about people being lazy and thinking everyone in the system is lazy is spot on. Newsflash: not everyone is as fortunate as we think they are! 
We need to start thinking about systemic solutions here, not just Band-Aid fixes for individual charities or community initiatives. 
. I mean, can't they just get it together? 
even though its not the govt's fault, shes still gotta step up her game 
that takes a lot of heart and effort! 
They're struggling to put food on the table, and it's just not right 
gotta keep supporting each other 'cause gov't's got its hands full... meanwhile, i'm low-key worried 'bout the future of food assistance programs