Dozens of people were lined up out the door at Manny's Deli Monday morning, as the Chicago staple offered the first 300 customers free meals, as many Chicagoans face losing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program’s (SNAP) benefits due to the government shutdown.
Manny's Deli owner Dan Raskin said all people have to do is show their SNAP Card and they'll receive a sandwich, potato pancakes and a drink.
"We've always really tried to support community, especially during the pandemic, and it always comes back," he said. "The outreach was amazing, and we ended up setting up a GoFundMe because so many people wanted to contribute. The more money we get the more meals we can do."
So far, that GoFundMe page has raised almost $50,000. It's allowing Raskin to serve community members through Sunday. He said on the first day of free meals, people started lining up as early as 5 a.m.
I was sad but happy," he said. "I was really happy we were able to provide something for them, but I was sad that people rely on us that much, but I'm happy we're able to give people the sandwich, make them smile and be happy."
SNAP serves roughly 1 in 8 Americans and costs around $8 billion per month. In Illinois, nearly two million residents use SNAP benefits for food and groceries.
On Monday the Trump administration said that it will provide only half of the normal food stamp benefits for November by tapping into the program’s contingency fund amid the government shutdown.
Still, benefits will be delayed this month because many beneficiaries have their cards recharged early in the month and the process of loading cards can take a week or more in many states.
This means many recipients will have to choose between buying groceries and paying bills, according to advocates. That's Raskin says efforts like his at Manny's Deli and other local restaurants is so important.
"Whatever people can do to help, there's always people who need it," he said.
For Cynthia Sibley, Eloise Harrison and Charlene Smith, who live in a senior home together, a free meal at Manny's Deli was the best way to start off the week.
"This is wonderful, this is great," Sibley said "We made it right on time."
They said they're grateful to the entire Manny's Deli team and other restaurants who are doing something similar for community members in need.
"They care about their community and they care about all people," Smith said. "They're not looking at gender, race or color. They know we are all human, and that's the most important thing about it."
For Diane Wright, the free meal took a weight off her shoulders during a time that she says is "very confusing" for her.
"Am I going to be able to eat next month?" she said. "It kind of keeps me awake at night, wondering what's going on in this world."
Wright is on a special diet and said she and other Chicagoans rely on SNAP benefits since they can't always afford meals.
"We need our food benefits," she said. "I hear about people eating cat good. The families and children, they need their food also. I'm thankful to sit down and eat something good."