Copyright Mechanicsburg Patriot News
Harrisburg City Council member Ralph Rodriguez will be giving away hundreds of hot meals in Harrisburg monthly to support families who are being impacted by the cuts to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Rodriguez said he is planning to distribute 200 to 300 meals from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. starting Friday, Nov. 7 at the Public Works Building at 1820 Paxton Street. He told PennLive he’s purchasing the food with his own money, and the meals will be prepared by Crawdaddys Restaurant & Bar and Uncle’s Dre’s Cafe. Rodriguez, who has 15 years of experience and the certifications required to be a food handler, said he’s excited to help ease some of the pain of the looming reductions related to the federal budget standoff. He initially tried to partner with several food banks, but due the SNAP cuts, they are already heavily overwhelmed, he said. Food pantries across the country are bracing for a surge in demand as the Trump administration halts SNAP benefits during the government shutdown, Block Club Chicago reported. Rodriguez said he then determined he could provide the meals himself. “I believe in doing what’s right without getting anything back,” he said. “It’s the holiday time, what else are we here for? Last year we had a writing contest where I paid someone’s mortgage or first month’s rent through an essay contest. “This year, unfortunately the SNAP benefits are getting revoked. This is another way I give back yearly,” he said. “As councilman the residents pay my salary, so it’s their money. We owe it to them at least to give back.” The meals will be given away on the first Friday of every month until SNAP gets funded again or if the food relief is no longer needed, Rodriguez said. “It could be more events, but Friday will be the first go at it,” he told PennLive. “I like to be one of those people that the residents can count on.” Giving away food to families in need is nothing new for Rodriguez, as he has a lengthy resume through his non-profit All You Can Inc. The looming loss of food benefits hits close to home, he said, because he benefited from SNAP benefits as a child. “As someone that was raised on the SNAP benefits and benefited from it, growing up on that and having to rely on it, I understand how essential that can be for a family going hungry,” he said. “I don’t take it for granted and I want to do all I can while these unfortunate circumstances are happening,” he continued. “This could really mean the difference between families starving or families getting what they need by a way of nutrition.” “Hunger has no face, it has no culture,” he said. “Hunger is universal. Hunger is not a partisan thing. It’s not a discriminatory thing. Hunger is a real thing and millions of our families face it on a daily basis. I was once homeless.” Rodriguez released important information for people who will be attending the SNAP relief dinner distribution: Adults and children must be present to receive a platter. You must present an EBT/Access card with matching ID. Every individual receiving a meal must be present. Rodriguez thanked Crawdaddy’s Restaurant & Bar and Uncle’s Dre’s Cafe’ and volunteers who are teaming up with him. He’s also asking people to spread the word to those who are in need. “We don’t know what the future even holds, I just know there are babies and children in households that can’t fend for themselves and deserve to least have a hot meal when they get home or before they go to bed,” he said.
