Copyright Salt Lake Tribune
Note to readers • The Salt Lake Tribune is making this story free to all. Salt Lake City restaurants are stepping up as federal workers in Utah continue to go without pay during the government shutdown and many Utahns remain uncertain about federal food assistance. Several businesses have offered free food and other menu items after the Utah Food Bank warned Oct. 22 that it alone wouldn’t be able to fill the gap that a potential pause to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (or SNAP) would cause. State leaders later pledged $4 million to support the Utah Food Bank. As of Friday, a federal judge ordered President Donald Trump’s administration to keep paying for food stamps. But some worry the benefits could remain in limbo. At least 33,000 federal workers live in Utah, and about 169,300 Utah adults and children rely on SNAP to help buy food each month. Here’s a list of businesses offering free food to anyone in need — and ways to support their efforts if you’re able. Mumbai House At Mumbai House’s three locations in Salt Lake City, Park City or Tooele, whole families are able to come in and grab a free meal. Since announcing the initiative Oct. 26, the popular Indian restaurant has donated at least 190 meals, said Dilpreet Toor, founding partner of Mumbai House. “It’s humanity,” Toor said. “We’re all here for food. We all work for food. … If you don’t get food, you die.” While the meal offerings vary slightly each day, Toor said they’re currently preparing boxes of both chicken tikka masala and vegetable coconut kurma, served with rice and naan. All meals are made fresh, he said. Toor added that Mumbai House will keep offering free meals to those in need even beyond the government shutdown or a potential food stamp pause. “The community makes us afford it,” he said. “The community supports us to this level, so that we can do it.” He added that he needs nothing but “blessings” in return. For those who want to help, though, he said purchasing a Mumbai House gift card and sharing that gift card with “somebody in need” is one way to support the restaurant. “I want the community to unite,” he said. “Stop having this Democrat, Republican fight. Stop it. Those people don’t even care about you. … Your community cares about you.” Salt Lake City: 2731 E. Parleys Way. Park City: 890 Main St., Suite #5115. Tooele: 778 N. Main St. Something Wicked Coffee (previously Bean’s Coffee) Starting Nov. 1, anyone who may lose SNAP benefits can get a free breakfast for themselves and their family at Something Wicked Coffee, located in Clearfield, according to the shop’s Oct. 27 Facebook post. “No proof needed. No questions asked,” the post reads. The shop is directing people to ask for the “Snap Breakfast,” which will be available from 8 a.m. to noon, except on Mondays (when the restaurant is closed). Clearfield: 772 E. 700 South. Yummy’s Korean BBQ & Sushi This Korean restaurant chain is giving out free fried rice at its Orem and Saratoga Springs locations starting in November, according to an Oct. 23 Facebook announcement. “We hope to give you some hope and light during these times,” the post reads. “It may not be much, but we hope that you can enjoy a hot meal from us.” They will continue the giveaway for “as long as we can,” the post states. Orem: 360 S. State Street, Building C, Suite #102. Saratoga Springs: 282 Crossroads Blvd. Sweet Hazel & Co. Bistro & Bakeshop At this vegan restaurant in Salt Lake City’s Ballpark neighborhood, anyone who wants to help can buy a “Feed it Forward Meal” for someone in need. Staff then place that receipt on a bookshelf near the front counter, where anyone who needs to eat can grab one and exchange it for a free meal. “I just want to help somehow,” said Felicia Hanson, owner of Sweet Hazel & Co. “I lived in poverty for a lot of my life, and so I just want people, if they don’t have any money, to be able to come in and get a warm meal.” About 150 meals have already been purchased so far, Hanson said on Oct. 30, 100 of which came from one generous donor. “There’s so many meals to be donated, and I don’t ever want anyone to feel ashamed to come in and get a meal,” Hanson said. “I just want them to know they’re accepted and they’re loved — and we get it.” Salt Lake City: 1000 S. Main St., Suite #100. Doki Doki This Japanese dessert cafe is giving away 15 free desserts each day to “anyone affected” by the shutdown, according to an Oct. 29 Facebook post. “I’m just a small local business, but I want to help in the way I can,” the post reads. “No proof. No questions. Just kindness.” If you want to help, the post continues, any donations can increase the number of free desserts the restaurant gives out each day. Salt Lake City: 249 E. 400 South. Sugar House Coffee Sugar House Coffee has started a “community gift card” — a fund that anyone can “add to or use when they need it, ” according to the restaurant’s Instagram. “We believe no one should go without a warm meal,” the post reads. Those in a position to help can add funds at the register. “If you’re struggling right now, please know this is for you too — grab what you need, no questions asked,” the post states. Salt Lake City: 2011 S. 1100 East. Girls Who Smash This Salt Lake Valley pop-up food truck known for its “life-changing smash burgers” will offer free loaded fries and water to anyone in need starting Sunday, according to an Oct. 30 Instagram post. The small business is aiming to offer 60 free meals each week and will try to set the food truck up “near major bus lines to make access easier.” Those able to help can also buy meals for others. You can do that by adding the extra meal to your food truck order in person. The food truck’s schedule and locations are typically posted to its Instagram page. Bhansa Ghar Indian restaurant Bhansa Ghar is also offering people free meals, according to an announcement posted to the restaurant’s Facebook page on Oct. 27. “With the ongoing government shutdown affecting many families, we at Bhansa Ghar want to extend our heartfelt support,” the post states. “As a veteran-owned restaurant and a proud member of this community, we believe in standing by one another when it matters most.” Additionally, on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, the restaurant will give free meals to veterans and their families. Salt Lake City: 250 W. 2100 South, Suite G. Mark Miller Subaru This Utah car dealership is offering free boxed lunches throughout November at its two Wasatch Front locations. “Hey Utah, we know food insecurity is on the rise, and we want to do our part,” an Oct. 28 Facebook post reads. “If you’re hungry, come by any Mark Miller Subaru store this November and grab a free boxed lunch, no questions asked.” South Salt Lake: 3535 S. State St. Sandy: 10920 S. State St. Bevvy’s Soda Shop This Payson restaurant is offering one free small biscuits-and-gravy meal to the first 100 customers starting at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 1, according to a recent Facebook announcement. “If your SNAP benefits are delayed or the shutdown’s made things tough, we’ve got breakfast covered,“ the post reads. “Just mention, ‘Bevvy Breakfast’ and we’ll do the rest.” Payson: 607 S. 100 West.
