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The November 6 letters to the editor of The Gabber Newspaper. Photo by June JohnsThe Gabber Newspaper\u2018s November 6 Letters to the EditorSmall Businesses<\/p>\n
The November 6 letters to the editor of The Gabber Newspaper.
Photo by June JohnsThe Gabber Newspaper\u2018s November 6 Letters to the EditorSmall Businesses<\/p>\n
There\u2019s a \u201cmass blackout\u201d campaign circulating, telling people not to shop or dine out during one of the most critical weeks of the year for small businesses.<\/p>\n
A stunt like that wouldn\u2019t punish corporations or hurt oligarchs. The big chains will be just fine. They have deep pockets, national marketing budgets, and endless backup plans. And if it gets really bad? They\u2019ll just lay off people.<\/p>\n
The ones who would take the hit? Local shops. Local restaurants. The family-run bakeries, the artists, the makers, the mom-and-pop caf\u00e9s. A week without business could devastate them \u2014 some wouldn\u2019t recover.<\/p>\n
If you really care about our community, if you say you support local, don\u2019t sit out. Show up. Shop local. Dine local. That\u2019s how we protect the heart of our neighborhoods.<\/p>\n
\u2014Ester Venouziou<\/p>\n
Editor\u2019s note: Ester Venouziou freelances for The Gabber Newspaper.<\/p>\n
Read the Oct. 23 Letters to the Editor<\/a>.SNAP Benefits<\/p>\n As our nation continues to endure a government shutdown, it is imperative to recognize the devastating impact this crisis will have on our most vulnerable citizens, older adults who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to meet basic nutritional needs.<\/p>\n In the region served by the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas \u2014 the Area Agency on Aging and Aging & Disability Resource Center for Pasco and Pinellas Counties \u2014 more than 39,000 households with individuals aged 60 and older currently receive SNAP benefits. These benefits are not luxuries \u2014 they are lifelines.<\/p>\n In Pinellas County alone, 24,172 senior households depend on SNAP to put food on the table. In Pasco County, 15,283 senior households are affected. These numbers reflect real people\u2014our neighbors, parents, grandparents\u2014who are now at risk of going hungry.<\/p>\n As of Nov. 1, due to the government shutdown, these households will cease receiving their SNAP benefits, leaving thousands of older adults in our region without access to the food they need. This is not just a policy issue \u2014 it\u2019s a moral one. We must urge our elected officials to prioritize the well-being of older Floridians and ensure that SNAP remains fully funded and uninterrupted.<\/p>\n In the meantime, community support is more critical than ever. If you would like to help older adults in our region through this crisis, please consider donating to Meals for Hungry Seniors, a program that provides nutritious meals to those in need. Visit agingcarefl.org to make a contribution.<\/p>\n Our seniors deserve better.<\/p>\n \u2014Ann Marie Winter, St. Petersburg<\/p>\n Editor\u2019s note: We ask for all letters to the editor to remain less than 250 words. Due to this, we have capped this letter at 250 words.<\/p>\n About Letters to the Editor<\/p>\n We want your letters! The Gabber Newspaper encourages letters (one per person, per month). Include your real name and city. Please keep it short \u2013 <250 words. We may edit letters for content, clarity, and length. We don\u2019t print letters that incite violence or include attacks on private citizens. The Gabber Newspaper also doesn\u2019t print letters that intentionally mislead people. Letters may appear online and\/or in print. We may print comments that appear on The Gabber Newspaper\u2019s website and social media. Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the views of The Gabber Newspaper owners, advertisers, or staff. Send letters to news@thegabber.com<\/a>\u00a0or 2908-B Beach Blvd. S., Gulfport, FL, 33707.<\/p>\n Looking for more things to do in St. Petersburg, Gulfport, and the beaches? Check out The Gabber Newspaper\u2019s full calendar of events<\/a>.For more news, subscribe to our weekly newsletters<\/a>. Make thegabber.com<\/a> your homepage to stay up-to-date on all the news happening in Gulfport, South Pinellas, and the Beaches.The Gabber Newspaper? We Go There<\/p>\n In 1968, our founder, George Brann, started The Gabber Newspaper, then called the Gulfport Gabber, to hold Gulfport City Council<\/a> accountable. Read more of our city council coverage<\/a>, and learn about our policies on reporting, fact-checking, and funding<\/a>.<\/p>\n