A family business in San Jose is offering free meals to kids whose families use SNAP benefits.
The state says around 5.5 million Californians use SNAP benefits to feed themselves and their families.
The owners of Tony & Alba’s Pizza & Pasta in San Jose are preparing to step up for families.
“We had been talking about it for a couple of weeks now, how are these kids going to eat, what we can do,” said Albert Vallorz, co-owner Tony & Alba’s Pizza & Pasta.
Diana and Albert Vallorz announced on social media that kids whose families have SNAP cards will be able get free kids meals, and parents who want to eat with them there will get a discount.
“Without these SNAP benefits, there are going to be a lot of kids who are going to have to do with less,” said Diana, co-owner Tony & Alba’s Pizza & Pasta.
The need for food assistance is expected to grow as millions prepare to lose SNAP benefits come Nov. 1. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program serves nearly 42 million people each month in the US, allocating money to states on a monthly basis.
But if the government shutdown continues, the department of agriculture warned there would not be enough funding to pay full SNAP benefits, also known as food stamps, in November.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta joined other state attorneys general in writing a letter to the department of agriculture demanding answers.
In a statement, Bonta said in part, “SNAP benefits should never be an afterthought – protecting the families who rely on these benefits to keep food on the table must be a priority.”
Without snap benefits, food banks are expecting to help out more people. This week Governor Gavin Newsom said he was deploying the California National Guard to assist food banks. The governor’s office sent out these images of troops already helping at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank Friday.
In the Bay Area, Second Harvest says they need donations, not necessarily more volunteers.
And they worry the National Guard showing up could create more fear in the community.
“We also anticipate seeing an increase in need and we may need more volunteers out at our distribution sites but we’re also in this moment where having folks in uniform might create some fear at our sites so that is why we don’t envision utilizing them at our distribution sites,” said Leslie Bacho, Second Harvest of Silicon Valley CEO.
With no deal in sight, the government shutdown enters its 24th day, just as we prepare to enter the holidays.
That’s why Diana and Albert said it’s important for them to be there for their community at this time.
“If you’re a family business in the community that supports you, you have to support the community,” said Albert.
Source: NBC Bay Area
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