FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — It’s day one of recipients not receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
ABC News reported on Friday, a Rhode Island federal judge said the lack of funding could cause irreparable harm and cited the terror felt by Americans who are scrambling for resources.
But even with this recent ruling, one small grassroots nonprofit is hoping to help those in need.
“To lose something so critical to your everyday needs, that’s devastating,” said Emily Cameron, an organizer with Share Fresno.
When Cameron noticed SNAP benefits would run dry, she decided to reach out to the community around her.
“What we decided to do is to reach out to local businesses where they have space and to ask them to offer up non-perishable goods, dry goods that are not going to expire, like dry goods, such as beans, canned, and anything that can help our neighbors,” said Cameron.
One of the business owners who stepped in to help was Stacey Williams, the owner of BB’s Gelateria in Downtown Fresno.
“These families need food. And they don’t want judgment, they don’t need to go to a nonprofit and fill out tons of forms and go through just to get food, they need food today, they need it now,” said Williams.
The need is felt across Central California.
The Poverello House said they are expecting clientele to nearly double by the end of next week.
“We are trying to figure out how we can make sure we have enough meals for everybody that comes through here,” said Raul Chavez.
With the overload of clients, the Poverello House said it’ll be up to the community to help fill the gap.
Share Fresno is hosting a food giveaway on November 22nd at the Jaswant Singh Khalra Neighborhood Park on Clinton & Brawley at 1 p.m.
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