READING, Pa – Organizers are saying it’s a ‘call to action’.
“We have them at the Wyomissing Public Library. Their drop off will start the day after Halloween,” said Seleda Simmons, with The Real Deal 610. ” They have something else going on.”
The Real Deal 610, as well as other groups like the NAACP, are starting donation drives to accept non-perishable food for those in need as state and federal officials say there’s not enough funding for the food assistance program known as SNAP next month.
“BCAP, believe it or not, all its employees are laid off. The executive is like what can we do?,” said Simmons.
Concern is growing everywhere, including the Hispanic Center in Reading, which caters to a lot of older folks.
“Providing them the services, the support that are available to them and anyone else in the Greater Reading community not being provided these SNAP benefits paid out,” said Mike Toledo with the Hispanic Center.
The uncertainty can already be felt on the streets of Reading as we spoke to one man who says he doesn’t know what he’s gonna do if these benefits run out.
“When it comes to food, there’s no price on food because everything is sky high, like coffee, eggs, cereal, everything. So to cut back on the food stamps is gonna be very hectic,” said David Rodriguez. “Find alternatives, maybe find a job to support myself.”
All of the collected food will be distributed to those impacted by the loss of SNAP benefits on November 14.
“I’m calling on our county commissioners, I’m calling on the city council,” Simmons said. “I’m calling on everybody that can actively play a part in this call to action, we have to support or something. I don’t care if its one can, it can help somebody.”