As Halloween approaches and the specter of SNAP benefit cuts looms over thousands of Arizonans, Phoenix neighbors are stepping up to transform trick-or-treat night into a community-driven food drive. In a display of solidarity, residents near 19th Avenue and Thomas Road will be distributing canned goods and other non-perishables on Friday, FOX 10 Phoenix reports.
Michael Hansen, who has been hosting a haunted house in the Westwood Village and Estates Historic Neighborhood for four years, is keenly aware of food insecurity issues, having been a SNAP recipient himself. He’s decided to leverage the Halloween foot traffic to help those in need. “I decided if they’re coming anyways, they might as well come get some food,” Hansen told FOX 10 Phoenix. Neighbors across Westwood, driven by a sense of urgency to help before more than 900,000 Arizonans lose their food benefits on November 1st, will be handing out nutritious options alongside candy.
Community epidemiologist Allison Gullick, touched last year by the appreciation expressed for her healthier snack options, is joining forces with her neighbors to share even more food resources. “We decided that we were going to collect canned goods, shelf-stable food, stuff like that, to give out to our neighbors who are maybe in need, especially right now in these times,” Gullick said in a statement obtained by FOX 10 Phoenix. The group will donate surplus items to a local food pantry after Halloween…