Copyright Mechanicsburg Patriot News
Brian Boltz, owner of Stuff’D Steaks & Hoagies in Hershey, had a big-hearted idea: Until SNAP benefits are replenished, his popular Hershey eatery will give free meals to people whose benefits cards have likely hit zero balance. The giveaway, which started Saturday, has been attracting customers to the sandwich shop. “It’s been busy, busy, busy,” said Boltz, who has owned Stuff’D Steaks & Hoagies with his wife for five years. “There’s a lot of people that are hungry.” The outpouring from the community has also been overwhelming. “I think your kindness is amazing. You have the ability to help and that’s exactly what you did,” wrote one Facebook user on their page. But not all the feedback has been generous. The phone in the eatery has been blowing up with calls from people sharing or leaving disparaging and unkind messages about SNAP recipients. It prompted Boltz to clap back on Facebook: “For those of you that feel the need to call and harass us about the complimentary SNAP meals, please call my cell phone, you’re tying up our phone lines. You will receive bonus points if you don’t block your number!!!.” he wrote, noting his cell phone. “I was surprised,” Boltz said of the backlash. “You know, we all breathe the same air.” Funding for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) came to a halt on Saturday amid the federal government shutdown, impacting 42 million Americans. The monthly infusion of funds for the program did not happen on Saturday. For millions of Americans, the potential of having no access to food for their families is real. An estimated 2 million Pennsylvanians, including children, seniors and disabled veterans, rely on SNAP for their nutritional needs. The Trump administration has refused calls for the release $5.5 billion in contingency funding to keep the program running, noting that the funding is earmarked for an emergency. On Monday, in the wake of two federal judges ruling the administration’s actions were unlawful, the Trump he administration signaled it would restart SNAP food benefits but at half the amount people normally get. The administration said it will use money from the $5 billion contingency fund from the Agriculture Department to replenish the depleted fund. Gov. Josh Shapiro last week joined 24 other states and Washington, D.C., in suing the Trump administration for suspending SNAP payments. Boltz said that until SNAP cards were replenished, he would continue to offer the complimentary meals to people on SNAP (with proof of ID) and to federal workers. Federal workers have been buffeted by furloughs or work without pay during the near-month-long government shutdown. “We’ve always been community driven,” Boltz said, explaining his motivation. “The community supports us greatly, so we feel it’s best for us to give back when we can.” Boltz declined to talk about the unfriendly calls to the eatery. “It’s on social media,” he said. “You can go see it there. I’m not going to get into it.” The outpouring of support for him and his business on social media has far outweighed the nasty comments. “Can you imagine being so consumed with hate of your neighbors and being so angry because they may need help and someone is stepping up to help them,” wrote one Facebook user. “No one is asking these hateful people for a thing, they just always feel like they are not getting theirs. Its sickening.” Another user wrote: “Thank you for your kindness. It’s nice to see there are still good people willing to help others. I feel sorry for the haters.” And even a SNAP beneficiary weighed in: “I’m so sorry that there are so many miserable people that have nothing better to do than try to make others as miserable like themselves. Thank you so much for helping the community. My family is one of the many people who lost (SNAP) benefits because of this shutdown. Been trying to stretch our last bit of funds to get food for my kids. I don’t care if I eat but am worried about them.” On Monday, Lt. Gov. Austin Davis led a meeting of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Council to review Shapiro’s proclamation of disaster emergency last week to release state funds to help prop up beleaguered food banks and anti-hunger programs. “State government can do a lot, but we cannot backfill the loss of federally funded SNAP benefits caused by the federal government shutdown,” said Davis, speaking at the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. “It should not have taken a lawsuit to make the federal government use available funding for SNAP benefits. Now that the courts have ruled, I encourage the Trump Administration to follow the law, listen to the courts and pay up. The Governor and I will continue to fight for every single penny that is owed to the good people of Pennsylvania.” Boltz said he will continue to feed hungry people. And he is getting a lot of love for that: “This is why I will continue to support you and tell everyone that I know about you! You are the kind of business I will support always!! The people that are saying nasty things… so sad! I would love to volunteer to come and answer your phone," wrote one supporter on Facebook.
