As Pennsylvania residents face the threat of losing food assistance, local businesses and organizations are stepping up to offer free meals and groceries. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will freeze at the start of November due to the ongoing government shutdown, leaving nearly 2 million residents without access to these vital funds.
Several restaurants in the Philly region have partnered with local food banks and Meals on Wheels to provide free meals to families and individuals affected by the shutdown. Juana Tamale, a Mexican restaurant in Passyunk Avenue, will offer two tacos or a quesadilla, chips, rice, beans, and a churro for free until SNAP benefits resume. Customers simply need to show their EBT cards.
Töska, a Mount Airy brewery and restaurant, is also giving away free cheese pizzas to customers who present their EBT cards. The shop will continue to offer this promotion as long as the government standoff continues.
Meanwhile, Center City Pretzel Co. in the Italian Market will give out three soft pretzels for free to anyone showing their EBT card. Owner Andrew Cunningham has expressed hope that word of the offering will spread and attract more customers.
Other local businesses are also participating in the effort. Riverwards Produce, a fruit and veggie shop with locations in Old City and Fishtown, plans to assemble 200 boxes of food for distribution. The shop has raised over $4,000 to support this initiative and is encouraging anyone who wants to get involved to reach out.
Rowhouse Grocery is also offering a "community card" that applies discounts to customers impacted by the loss of SNAP benefits. Neighbors can contribute to the card's pool either in-person or online.
South Philly Food Co-op, another local organization, is also putting together boxes of pantry staples to feed families during the shutdown. Each collection comes with enough items to feed a family for several weeks and is seeking donations to support this effort.
As the government standoff continues, these local businesses and organizations are providing vital support to those affected by the loss of SNAP benefits.
Several restaurants in the Philly region have partnered with local food banks and Meals on Wheels to provide free meals to families and individuals affected by the shutdown. Juana Tamale, a Mexican restaurant in Passyunk Avenue, will offer two tacos or a quesadilla, chips, rice, beans, and a churro for free until SNAP benefits resume. Customers simply need to show their EBT cards.
Töska, a Mount Airy brewery and restaurant, is also giving away free cheese pizzas to customers who present their EBT cards. The shop will continue to offer this promotion as long as the government standoff continues.
Meanwhile, Center City Pretzel Co. in the Italian Market will give out three soft pretzels for free to anyone showing their EBT card. Owner Andrew Cunningham has expressed hope that word of the offering will spread and attract more customers.
Other local businesses are also participating in the effort. Riverwards Produce, a fruit and veggie shop with locations in Old City and Fishtown, plans to assemble 200 boxes of food for distribution. The shop has raised over $4,000 to support this initiative and is encouraging anyone who wants to get involved to reach out.
Rowhouse Grocery is also offering a "community card" that applies discounts to customers impacted by the loss of SNAP benefits. Neighbors can contribute to the card's pool either in-person or online.
South Philly Food Co-op, another local organization, is also putting together boxes of pantry staples to feed families during the shutdown. Each collection comes with enough items to feed a family for several weeks and is seeking donations to support this effort.
As the government standoff continues, these local businesses and organizations are providing vital support to those affected by the loss of SNAP benefits.
I feel so bad for those people in PA who are gonna lose their food assistance... like how can we even live without that? 
These local businesses and orgs are being super awesome though! 
It's amazing to see them come together to help each other out. Töska's free cheese pizzas and Juana Tamale's tacos are, btw, on point 
. And I love that Riverwards Produce is assembling 200 boxes of food... that's like, a whole lotta goodness! 
The community card idea at Rowhouse Grocery is also genius 
. It just goes to show that even in tough times, there's always someone willing to lend a helping hand 
.
I'm glad to see some good Samaritans stepping up in Philly but how reliable are these food banks and organizations? Can we get more info on their track record? I don't want people relying on handouts from just anyone. 
What's the budget behind all this? Who's footing the bill? Are they not using taxpayer dollars for a change of circumstances like this? 
️ It's just what we need right now - some kindness and generosity. And I love that Rowhouse Grocery is offering discounts for people affected by the shutdown - it's about time someone did something to support our community. Let's hope these efforts can make a real difference! 
but gotta wonder how sustainable this is gonna be once the shutdown ends? i mean, i get it, these businesses want to help & all that, but what about when the funds dry up? theres still so many ppl struggling with food insecurity in philly... hope they're thinking long-term on this one 
2day i no a mexican resturant in philly its givin away tacos 4 free 2 familez who r losin ther SNAP benifits 
wat a blessin!!! 
also i heard about this brewery thats makin cheese pizzas 4 ppl with EBT cards 
töska is the name i thot it wuz cool that centur city prezel co is givin away pretzels 2 
I mean, great, another bunch of rich people deciding to do something "good" because it's good PR 
. I'm sure the owners of these places are really making a sacrifice by giving away their precious profits... NOT 
.
- People in Philly are literally stepping up to help each other out with free meals & groceries during this crazy shutdown 
food assistance for pennsylvania residents is about to freeze in november and nearly 2 million ppl will be left without access to groceries 
businesses r banding together tho 
like juana tamale and toska brewery offering free grub to those who need it most, and riverwards produce assembling 200 boxes of food 
That's over 3 million people! The gov shutdown is gonna affect nearly 2 million SNAP beneficiaries, leaving them without funds for months 
. But on the bright side, local businesses are stepping up to help! 
(worth over $1,000!)
I mean, I'm all about supporting our neighbors in need, especially when it comes to food. The fact that local businesses are stepping up and offering free meals and groceries is just amazing. I wish more people would do the same - it's not just about helping those who can't afford food, but also building a stronger community.
.
!
. I mean, who needs the government to do something when we've got people like Juana Tamale and Töska just giving away food for free? 
That's what I call a real hero moment! And it's not just restaurants, either - local businesses are coming together to collect food and supplies, too. Rowhouse Grocery's community card is genius, btw... who wouldn't want to support their neighbors in need? 
! And I love that Riverwards Produce is assembling 200 boxes of food for distribution 
. It's clear that our community is coming together to support each other during this tough time 
I'm not saying there aren't some genuinely good people in this world, but let's keep our wits about us here... something fishy is going on! 