As the U.S. government shutdown ended its first month and SNAP benefits were mired in uncertainty, folks across the country have reached out to step up and help.
Early Saturday morning, a trio of partners of a popular series of Flagstaff restaurants rolled out a mobile food truck behind their breakfast spot, Fat Bagels. Restaurant owner John Conley tallied the food supply for the morning.
“We have 250 bagel sandwiches in here. As well as 200 bean and cheese burritos, and over here we have a whole other batch of burritos. We just rolled them all up first thing in the morning," Conley said.
It was still dark out when they arrived to open the truck up for the first day of their new mission.
“It was going to be SNAP recipients. And then we just realized the government shut down. Everybody’s hurting. We’re right in front of the Flagstaff Family Food Center. We see what they go through every day. We’re just going to feed everybody," Conley said.
A federal judge ruled Friday that the federal government must continue paying for food stamp benefits with emergency funds. But without a clear plan forward, a delay is expected — meaning people will go hungry.
“It started with SNAP, but until SNAP gets funded, we’re just going to feed people that need food,” he said.
“Some of us are more fortunate than others," said business partner Ashlea Lindemuth. “And it’s our duty to show our kindness and our thankfulness to the Flagstaff community.”
From 7 to 10 a.m. each day, the food truck will be making hot meals available to anyone.
"We've always believed that our people are the most important asset that we have and that really translates to the community. We believe that it's our responsibility to be leaders in our industry and really make a difference in the community," said business partner Kaiti DuPuy.
Free hot meals in Flagstaff
Where: Food truck behind Fat Bagels, 2300 E Rte 66, Flagstaff, AZ 86004.
When: 7-10 a.m. daily.
Outside of Flagstaff, in the outlying community of Doney Park, store owner Rebecca Rambo is getting Mountain View Market ready for a food drive supported by her customers.
She stopped to greet a longtime customer who showed up to support her food drive.
“Hi honey!”
“How are you?”
“I’m good!”
“How are you? What do you need most?"
“Anything non-perishable.”
Rambo pauses to take inventory of what the food drive is offering.
"Let’s see, we have easy items, items that don’t expire. We have some Hamburger Helper. We have macaroni and cheese. Some protein. Some chicken breast. We have refried beans," Rambo said.
Rambo’s food drive started as a shoe drive organized by her daughter’s school. As the deadline for the lapse in SNAP benefits neared last week, she switched the drive over to food. She wants to make it as easy as possible for people to take food if they need it.
“It’s hard to ask and when people have to ask, not only is it a humbling experience for them but it’s humbling for us, too. And so our answer is: of course," Rambo said.
Her own customers have been buying products from the market and leaving them for others to take. Rambo pauses to say goodbye to a longtime customer making a plan to donate food.
“I’ll see you next week.”
“OK. Thanks for everything!”
“I’ll be back tomorrow.”
“You’ve got it.”
“It’ll be a whole new set up tomorrow. You’ll see what to do though. OK! I love you!”
She turns back to take stock of what’s needed in the coming days.
“Everyone steps up. I have an amazing staff. But the community never lets us skip a beat. If there’s a need, we can meet it. But everybody helps. It’s not just the store. It’s not just me. We happen to be in this unique microcosm of a spot that we can do things," Rambo said.
Like Conley, Lindemuth and DuPuy, Rambo’s mission is a simple but profound one.
“If there’s a need and you feel like you need it from the table, you’re going to be able to take it. No questions asked," she said.
"And that’s just how things are going to be 'til things settle out a little bit.”
Free grocery items
Where: Mountain View Market, 6990 Lumberjack Blvd #9630, Flagstaff, AZ 86004.
When: 8 a.m.-8 p.m. daily.
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