Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey praised the community for stepping up to help people impacted by the government shutdown, while saying the state has fully funded SNAP benefits.
In Wellesley, a teenager named Sami Juma created a website called MySnapMap. The site features a map that directs people to restaurants and small businesses who are offering free meals and other aid to those in need.
“It’s basically an interactive map, and on it, there are a bunch of points. I’m at 115,” said Juma. “I saw these posts from small businesses offering free or heavily discounted meals, and I was blown away. These aren’t corporations with large profit margins, these are people who have to pay their own bills. Each post linked to another restaurant that inspired them, so it created this link chain of generosity.”
Free frozen meals in Watertown
Ritcey East is a Watertown restaurant that is on the map. They are offering free frozen prepared meals while SNAP benefits are delayed. Owner Max Ritcey, says they have been giving out two per family per day, and the meals can feed two to three portions…