Copyright NBC 5 Chicago
An iconic Chicago deli starting on Monday will offer those with SNAP cards a free family meal as the government shutdown continues into it's 34th day, and benefits for the nation's biggest food aid program remain frozen. "In light of recent events around SNAP Benefits we want to keep our community fed and safe," Manny's Deli, in the South Loop at 1141 S. Jefferson St. posted on X Friday. The post went on to say that this week, starting Monday, the deli would offer anyone who comes in and shows their SNAP card a family meal for in-restaurant dining or to-go. The meals, which include a sandwich, potato pancake, pickles and soft drink, will be offered to the first 300 SNAP recipients each day until supplies run out. Manny's added that quantities could increase with donations, with a fundraiser already showing $37,000 raised for the initiative. "Please be patient and dress warm if there is a line," Manny's said. Early Monday morning, photos and video showed a line was already beginning to form near the deli, which opens at 8 a.m. What are SNAP benefits? Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture planned to freeze payments to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, starting Nov. 1 because it said it could no longer keep funding it due to the U.S. government shutdown. Overall, the program costs around $8 billion per month, serves about 1 in 8 Americans, and is a major piece of the nation's social safety net. In Illinois, nearly two million residents use SNAP benefits for food and groceries. The USDA has a $5 billion contingency fund for the program, but the Trump administration reversed an earlier agency plan to use that money to keep SNAP running. Democratic officials argue that the administration could also use a separate fund of about $23 billion. On Friday, judges in Rhode Island and Massachusetts ruled separately that the Trump Administration must continue to pay for SNAP using at least contingency funds. They both gave the administration leeway on whether to fund the program partially or in full for November. The administration now faces deadlines on Monday to tell the two federal judges whether it will comply with court orders. Still, benefits will be delayed in November regardless of the outcome of the court cases because many beneficiaries have their cards recharged early in the month and the process of loading cards can take a week or more in many states. Advocates and beneficiaries say halting the food aid would force people to choose between buying groceries and paying other bills. The majority of states have announced more or expedited funding for food banks or novel ways to load at least some benefits onto the SNAP debit cards. To qualify for SNAP in 2025, a family of four’s net income after certain expenses can’t exceed the federal poverty line, which is about $32,000 per year. Last year, SNAP assisted nearly 42 million people, about two-thirds of whom were families with children. Other Chicago restaurants offering free meals for SNAP recipients In addition to Manny's several restaurants in the city and suburbs are offering assistance: Tazza Italian Ristorante: 14065 South Bell Road in Homer Glen Tazza Italian Ristorante is offering pasta, salad and bread on the house to those losing SNAP benefits. "No one should go hungry! Starting November 1, and until benefits are reinstated, no family should worry where their next meal is coming from," the restaurant said in a post on social media. "If you are losing your SNAP benefits, we are here to help." Show the restaurant your SNAP benefit card between 4:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday to be served a dine-in meal. Wooden Paddle: Locations in Lemont, La Grange Wooden Paddle is offering free lunch to those losing SNAP benefits at both their Lemont and La Grange restaurant locations from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for all of November. "Starting November 1st, if you’re losing your SNAP benefits and worried about feeding your family, free lunch is on us. Just tell the staff and show your card — they’ll know what to do," the restaurant said in a post on social media. Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria Locations Lou Malnati's Pizzeria is partnering with Lawndale Community Church to provide direct meal support to families during the SNAP benefit pause, the company said in a statement Friday. Starting Nov. 2, families facing food insecurity will receive $10 Lou Malnati's coupons through Lawndale Community Church. The coupons will be distributed through Nov. 16, the company said, and can be redeemed for a large deep dish or thin crust pizza. “Lawndale Community Church has been our partner for 30 years," said Marc Malnati, owner of Lou Malnati's Pizzeria. "With the loss of SNAP benefits impacting so many families, we want to step up and provide support. We have a long tradition of giving back to the communities we serve.” Food pantries and other ways to help An estimated one in five Chicago area households experiences food insecurity, according to Greater Chicago Food Depository. More than 527,000 families in Cook County will not be able to access the food aid they need without SNAP benefits, according to the Cook County Department of Public Health. In DuPage County, more than 670,000 residents rely on SNAP benefits to buy groceries, according to the DuPage County Board. The GCFD encourages SNAP participants to frequently check the Illinois Department of Human Services webpage for real-time updates and enroll in IDHS text messages by calling 1-800-843-6154.
