As the threat of a federal government shutdown looms and SNAP benefits are paused, some North Texas business owners are stepping in to make sure local kids don’t go hungry.
In Venus, Biundo’s Pizzeria is offering free cheese pizzas every Tuesday for families who present a SNAP card, an ID and bring a child.
This month, the restaurant marked three years of serving up Chicago-style family recipes. But owners Vince and Jennifer Biundo say they haven’t forgotten their own struggles.
“We many years ago, 14, 15 years ago, relied on SNAP in the winter when he did seasonal work,” said Jennifer Biundo.
With more than 3.5 million Texans, including 1.7 million children, affected by the temporary pause in SNAP benefits, the couple said they felt compelled to lend a hand.
“I woke up in the morning to go to work, and Jennifer turned to me and she brought up this idea,” said Vince Biundo. “She said, ‘What do you think?’ And I’m like, sold. Feed kids. It’s a no-brainer.”
In Burleson, Chicken Salad Chick has already begun offering free kids’ meals, no questions asked.
“There’s no purchase necessary, no questions asked. Just come in and we have some different options for the kids meal, so we’re excited to offer that to any kid in need,” said owner Meggie Schissler.
Schissler said they’ll continue to provide meals at their locations in Burleson, Fort Worth, Hurst, Midlothian and Southlake until benefits are restored.
“We just love our communities. Each one is different, and we’re proud to be small business owners so that we have the freedom to be able to jump in and help where we can,” she said.
The initiative has struck a chord online. A post from Biundo’s offering the free pizza has already been shared more than 1,000 times.
“It’s the least that we can do,” said Vince. “Exactly,” added Jennifer.