As the government shutdown enters its 38th day, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program has paid the price, with benefits disrupted for an estimated 42 million Americans. Two judges have ordered the Trump administration to tap emergency reserves to continue the program — orders which the administration has since appealed.
As government assistance hangs in the balance, people across the country are stepping up to help their neighbors.
People like Pittsburgh father AJ Owen. On Sunday, October 26, he took his boys — ages 7 and 9 — to the grocery store to buy $150 worth of groceries.
Then they set up an impromptu food drive for their neighbors in their front yard.
“I try to keep my kids updated on what’s happening in the world, but they’re helpers. They’ve always been helpers,” Owen told People Magazine. “I told them about SNAP potentially going away, and they said, ‘How can we help people?’ And this was the answer.”
At first, Owen’s youngest son worried that nobody would show up.
“And I said, ‘Buddy, if we help one person, then this was all worth it,’” Owen said.
Then their food drive went viral on TikTok. Overnight, Owen saw a huge swell of support from people across the country, with hundreds asking how they could chip in.
But the biggest shock came when he went to check his mailbox on November 1 and pulled out an envelope filled with thousands of dollars in cash.
The cash, which was donated anonymously, bore a simple message: “May God prosper and bless your food pantry.”
“I took the envelope in; it felt thick. I thought maybe there’s some gift cards in there,” Owen said. “I opened it up and just — hundred-dollar bills, a stack of hundred-dollar bills. I truly didn’t know how to react. I froze. I started shaking and I started crying.”
The video of Owen’s tearful reaction has since been viewed 18.2 million times, with people flooding the comments section with praise.
“Humanity is showing up,” one viewer wrote. “This gives me hope.”
“I remember when Mr Rogers told me to look for the helpers,” wrote another.
Many also wrote in to say that the Owen family’s food pantry inspired them to take action in their own communities.
“This reminded me there’s a food pantry really close to me I haven’t helped stock in a bit,” a viewer said. “Gonna fix that now.”
“I delivered about 10 bags of groceries that myself and my friend pulled together today to a food pantry nearby,” another person wrote. “The place was fully packed. This is my America.”
Owen has continued to share updates on TikTok as his family’s food pantry has expanded. One day, Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Yahya Black stopped by to drop off supplies — an added shock for the Owens, who are huge Steelers fans.
“Look at this!” Owen said, grinning as he filmed the massive pile of grocery bags in his yard. “This is going to last so long. And I’m so grateful they showed up.”
Currently, the Owen family plans to hold their front yard food drive for the foreseeable future.
“People deserve food, people deserve to be fed,” he said. “As long as there’s a need in our community, we will keep this out.”
“Making a food pantry is no different than me inviting you over to my house for dinner,” Owen added. “Come grab a meal. Come grab a drink. Come grab what you need. I’m happy to have you.”
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Header images via AJ Owen / TikTok
