Earlier this week, the United States Department of Agriculture announced that the 42 million Americans who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will go without their benefits beginning November 1, as a result of the federal government shutdown.
SNAP is a nationwide program that provides monthly financial assistance to low-income families so that they can access healthy food, providing about 1 in 8 U.S. residents an average of $187 a month in food aid.
The approximately $8 billion set aside by the federal government to cover SNAP every month lapsed when Congress did not approve an annual appropriations budget on October 1, leading to the now 27-day government shutdown.
According to NPR, the Trump administration has said it cannot use emergency contingency funds to continue covering SNAP benefits, and now, 26 states are suing the USDA for suspending the program.
In the meantime, small business owners are rising to the challenge.
In Phoenix, Arizona, Lovebite Dumplings, a trendy shop owned by Gen-Zer Angel Gould, announced it would offer free meals to anyone with an EBT or SNAP card the first week of November.
“SNAP benefits are being paused in November due to a federal funding lapse, leaving millions of families without access to food support,” the shop posted on Instagram.
“No one should go hungry because of politics.”
To get a free meal, community members can visit the location on Roosevelt Row in Phoenix between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., November 1-8. Lovebite makes build-your-own bento boxes, with options for dumplings, noodles, rice, vegetables, and sauces, undoubtedly a filling, warm meal for people in need.
But of course, this comes at a cost for the business — one Gould seems to be willing to stomach.
“We want to make it clear,” Lovebite continued on social media, “We are a small business, and this will hurt us. But we believe now is the time to step up for our community.”
This isn’t the first time Lovebite has given back to the community.
“We actually always give food to anyone that comes in and can’t pay for it, but we don’t usually advertise it,” Gould told Good Good Good in a direct message. “It’s just for the local unhoused community.”
But, she said, right now is different.
“Watching the news and seeing how many people are going to be affected by this, we were like, we have to let people know we are a safe space [where] they can get fed,” Gould said, “and just take the financial hit.”
The restaurant is also encouraging people who can to “pay it forward” when they pay at the register, or to simply come in and get themselves a meal, to help keep the shop afloat and make this act of generosity possible.
“Come by, show your community and neighbors that you care,” LoveBite shared in its post.
Based on the influx of comments on the social media post, the community is prepared to do just that.
“This is why I love spending my dollars here,” one person commented on Instagram, accompanied by a bevy of heart emojis. “See you guys this week!”
Others suggested adding a virtual donation so people could support the efforts if they don’t live nearby, as well.
“I’m so shocked, genuinely,” Gould said about the response to the free meals.
“I thought we would get our usual community helpers. I had no idea it would resonate with this many people. I’m working on an option to have people pay from afar because we have had so many people reach out. It didn’t even occur to us that this would be an option!”
She also hopes it inspires other small businesses to do what they can to help.
“It’s so easy to see the dark in the world, especially right now, but what started as something we were getting ready to take a financial hit from now has people across the country trying to help,” Gould said.
“I’ve never felt more inspired by people and hopeful for our future. I think that it is genuinely worth it to step up for your community every time.”
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Header photo courtesy of Lovebite Dumplings/Instagram
