GIBSONBURG, Ohio (WTVG) – New federal food assistance ran out Saturday for more than 40 million Americans who get SNAP benefits as the government shutdown stretches into a new month. One local business is stepping up to provide meals for families who rely on SNAP to eat.
Those that run the Hungry Bear Diner in Gibsonburg say they’re not doing this for any publicity, but rather just to be a helping hand in a time of need.
“It makes me feel like I don’t have to worry so much,” said Gibsonburg resident Roxanne Torres.
For Torres, SNAP benefits can sometimes be her only ticket to a meal.
“My husband’s disabled, I’m retired. Sometimes it’s hard,” Torres said.
With SNAP benefits in question for many, she says it’s been hard on her the last few weeks.
“I don’t get mine until the 12th, and who knows. I may get them in time, I may not,” Torres said. “You stretch everything. You can only do so much.”
But she says there has been a saving grace: The Hungry Bear Diner. The diner posted on its Facebook page that they would be supplying hot meals to Gibsonburg SNAP residents Saturday.
The owner of the diner did not want to go on camera, but one of her employees spoke in her place.
“There’s a lot of hardworking residents in Gibsonburg who just lost their SNAP benefits that relied a lot on it, and we just think this would take a big weight off their shoulders — at least for one meal, a couple meals every week,” said Alyvia Morant, a Hungry Bear Diner employee.
Having a personal connection to this issue makes it that much more of a mission for Morant.
“We know how much some of the residents of Gibsonburg are struggling, and we just want to help them out and we don’t want anyone to go hungry,” Morant said.
And for Roxanne and her husband;
“It’s an in-between that is really, really appreciated,” Torres said.
If you are a Gibsonburg resident and you receive SNAP benefits, the diner is planning to give out another hot meal on Tuesday. You can reach out to them to sign up on their Facebook page or by giving them a call at 419-637-7300.
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