How Brooklyn Restaurants Are Stepping Up to Help SNAP Recipients During the Shutdown

"Co-owner Isa Steyer tells Eater that as soon as the team heard the news, they wanted to host a drive. She and the team decided to drop off their goods at the food pantry at John Wesley United Methodist Church weekly, because they had the capacity and also took in baby products, "which is great for our family-filled neighborhood," she writes over Instagram direct message."

""The response has honestly been pretty crazy," Steyer continues. "A few other businesses and organizations have reached out to see if they can use our drop as a location for their own customer base." "Neighbors and community are the final safety net," Steyer writes, "and when other measures fail, we have to rely on each other! We've seen the way this neighborhood shows up for each other, and this is the kind of business we set out to run, so it was kinda a no-brainer.""

"The Welcome Home team is also planning to bake more, so they can donate the loaves to mutual aid group Feed the People Bedstuy. Owner Daryl Nuhn tells Eater over Instagram direct message that over 100 people shared the cafe's story online. "I'm hoping there is a large outpouring from our community," she writes. "It's really beautiful to see the neighborhood coming together." The cafe will run fundraising events for the community fridge throughout November, too, to be announced later."

Restaurants such as Welcome Home and Prima mobilized to help New Yorkers impacted by government actions. Local and state agencies are implementing plans to assist affected individuals, but November benefits will likely be delayed even if the shutdown ends or SNAP funding is restored. Welcome Home organized a weekly donation drop at John Wesley United Methodist Church, accepting baby products for a family-filled neighborhood. The team plans to bake loaves for mutual aid group Feed the People Bedstuy. Brooklyn Granary and other bakeries and cafes are collecting nonperishable donations and planning fundraisers and community fridge support throughout November.

Read at Eater NY