As the federal government shutdown halts SNAP funding, millions of Americans are waking up today without the benefits they depend on to feed their families. Having the fourth-largest SNAP enrollment nationwide, nearly 3 million Florida residents, including over 1 million children, are now left scrambling to make ends meet. Fortunately, local nonprofits and food banks are already bracing for a surge in demand this weekend, and they’re not alone in stepping up.
Across the Tampa Bay area, restaurants are opening their doors (and their hearts), offering free meals to the nearly 250,000 locals affected by the shutdown. Initiated by Gigglewaters in Safety Harbor, neighborhood eateries are following suit as the community rallies together to make sure no one goes hungry.
In an effort to spread the word, we’ve put together a list of Tampa Bay restaurants offering assistance, as well as some organizations providing helpful resources.
Thank you to Mai Tai Suites for sponsoring this article!
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