Local businesses, programs offering relief to SNAP benefit recipients in Chicagoland

CHICAGO — Local businesses and programs are offering some relief to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit recipients who have had their benefits halted due to the ongoing government shutdown.

Forty-two million Americans rely on SNAP benefits, two million of those in Illinois.

Manny’s Deli, located at 1141 South Jefferson Street in the West Loop, is the latest Chicago restaurant offering to help people who’ve lost their SNAP benefits. Beginning Monday, Manny’s Deli will offer free meals to anyone who presents a SNAP card. Families can choose to dine in or take their meal to go.

Meanwhile, what happens next with SNAP is uncertain. Even if some funding is restored, there will likely be delays for people who rely on the program.

SNAP funding dried up Saturday due to the government shutdown, which is now entering its second month. Two federal judges gave the Trump administration until Monday for an update on funding SNAP, ordering the Department of Agriculture to pay benefits out of a contingency fund.

President Donald Trump, however, says government lawyers do not believe the government has the authority to pay until Congress ends the shutdown.

Anticipating a surge in demand at food banks, the Greater Chicago Food Depository handed out several thousand boxes of food Saturday at six locations.

“A government shutdown has never brought the end of SNAP, so this is unprecedented,” Camerin Mattson with the Greater Chicago Food Depository said. “We’re disappointed we’re at this place, but we’re here and encouraged by all of the people who’ve reached out and wanted to volunteer, by all of our partners who are doing everything they can.”

“(It’s) really ridiculous, because people do have children, and seniors don’t have food,” SNAP benefits recipient Gloria Mims said. “It’s really fortunate to have this program (the Greater Chicago Food Depository).”

Several restaurants in the city and suburbs, including a group of Black-owned restaurants in the city, are offering free lunches, and other restaurants are offering free dinners.

Where can you find them?

Here is a list of some of those locations:

Manny’s Deli (1141 South Jefferson Street, Chicago)

• Free meals starting Monday to anyone who presents a SNAP card.

Tazza Italian Ristorante (14065 South Bell Road, Homer Glen)

• Free salad, bread and pasta from Tuesday to Thursday during dinnertime for those who show a SNAP card.

Wooden Paddle (212 Stephen Street, Lemont; 23 Calendar Avenue, La Grange)

• Free lunch for SNAP recipients during all of November.

Lou Malnati’s/Lawndale Community Church (3827 West Ogden Avenue, Chicago)

• Partnering with Lawndale Community Church, which is distributing $10 coupons for pizza until Nov. 16.

Chicago Black-owned restaurants

• Watta Potato (5202 West Washington Boulevard), Jay’s Backyard BBQ (5604 West Division Street) and The SoulFood Lounge (3804 West 16th Street) are offering discounts/giveaways to SNAP recipients. Click on each link for more information.