Tag Page FoodAssistance

SNAP work rules are changing—here’s what’s next

Big changes are about to hit SNAP recipients, especially for folks in their late 50s and early 60s, and parents of teens. Starting Feb. 1, more people will need to work at least 20 hours a week to keep their food benefits. Exemptions for veterans, those aging out of foster care, and people experiencing homelessness are going away. Local food pantries are already bracing for a surge in demand, worried that some families might fall through the cracks. With food prices still high, how do you think these new rules will impact our community? Have you or someone you know been affected? Let’s talk about it. #Safety #SNAP #FoodAssistance

Steak night

The steak was thicker than my palm. Ribeye. Two of them. The cashier scanned the EBT card like it was nothing. No hesitation. No questions. I don’t know her story. Maybe she works two jobs. Maybe she’s struggling. But I couldn’t stop thinking about how many people on SNAP are told to “budget better.” Is this survival—or something else? #SNAPBenefits #FoodAssistance #CostOfLiving #AmericanReality

The EBT Card That Paid for Everyone’s Lunch

I worked at a fast-food place and kept seeing the same thing during lunch rush. One person paid with SNAP, but three or four adults stood behind him. He asked for separate bags—burgers, fried chicken, drinks—paid with one EBT card. A coworker told me they weren’t family, just roommates. The rules only care who swipes the card, not who eats the food. Later that day, a mother with kids was told her SNAP balance couldn’t cover a hot meal. That’s when it hit me—the issue isn’t legality, it’s who gets pushed out. #SNAPReality #FoodAssistance #SystemStrain #PublicBenefits

Helping the needy

How much do you need right now?#FoodForThoseInNeed #FoodAssistance #FinancialAssistance #Zests #TodaysBlessings

I Went to the Food Bank 3 Times This Week So My Kid Could Eat Meat.

Life has been tight since the divorce. My son is growing, and I hate sending him to school with just a sandwich. To save money to buy him beef, I eat whatever free food I can find using Food Radar. The canned goods and bread from local churches are actually decent. The lines are tiring, but seeing him eat well makes it worth it. Hoping for better days. #SingleMom #MomLife #Sacrifice #FoodAssistance

The Woman Who Took the Last Milk with an EBT and a Mercedes

Last Friday in a Brooklyn food pantry line that wrapped around the alley, supplies were already running low. A woman in a Canada Goose jacket parked her black Mercedes GLC right by the loading zone, walked up with her EBT card, and grabbed the last two gallons of milk plus an entire tray of chicken thighs. A single mom behind me, holding a toddler, shouted, “We’ve been in line for over an hour. At least leave some for the kids.” The woman shrugged and said, “I qualify like everyone else.” Volunteers stared helplessly at the empty crates and told the rest of the line there would be no meat today. In that moment, it hit me: sometimes the biggest loophole isn’t the system—it’s people choosing personal gain even when they know someone else needs it more. #SNAPFraud #FoodAssistance #BenefitInequality #CommunityTension

Where Did the Thanksgiving Turkey Money Go?

I thought this Thanksgiving would be a bit easier because our community center promised food kits for low-income families. But when it was finally my turn in line, the staff already looked stressed—they said the number of kits “didn’t match.” Turns out someone pretended to be three different households and used stolen information to claim multiple temporary SNAP cards, redeeming several turkey kits early. Many seniors in our neighborhood were counting on that turkey for their holiday, but they ended up getting nothing and had to grab frozen pizza instead. I’m not blaming everyone on SNAP, but this kind of fraud hurts families who truly need help. One person’s dishonesty made many people’s holiday much harder. #SNAPFraud #ThanksgivingPrep #CommunityStories #FoodAssistance

🌽 Wilmington Farmers Market Steps Up to Help SNAP Users During Benefit Delays — Get $45 to Spend on Local Food Every Saturday! With SNAP benefits still facing delays, the Wilmington Farmers Market is making sure families don’t go without! 🥦 Every Saturday in November, SNAP/EBT users can visit the market and receive $25 in tokens plus $20 in Double Bucks — that’s $45 total to spend on fresh, local, SNAP-eligible foods from community vendors. 📍 Location: 5329 Oleander Dr., Wilmington, NC 🕗 When: Saturdays from 8 AM to 1 PM This is a great way to support local farmers while keeping healthy food on your table. ❤️ 👉🏽Follow TatianaJ to stay updated on local resources, deals, and community events helping families through the SNAP pause. #WilmingtonNC #SNAPBenefits #FarmersMarket #FoodAssistance #LocalVendors #CommunitySupport #TatianaJ #NewsBreak #SNAPBenefits #SNAPLife #SNAPTalk

SNAP Benefits — Real Voices on Real Policies Is the system fair, or does it need to change? SNAP supports millions of Americans, yet its fairness and impact are constantly debated. For some families, it means survival. For others, it raises questions about cost, responsibility, and who truly needs help. As living expenses rise, SNAP has become more than a safety net — it’s a reflection of how we share public resources and how we define fairness. Here, we’re not here to argue sides — we’re here to listen. Share your story, your frustration, or your hope. Let’s rethink SNAP together.#SNAP #FoodAssistance #SocialPolicy #RealStories #CommunityVoices #EconomicJustice #SNAPBenefits #SNAPLife #SNAPTalk

With Food Stamps on Hold, Mt. Olive’s Free Food Pantry Steps Up to Feed Families 🍎🙏🏾

With SNAP benefits still paused amid the government shutdown, many families are struggling to keep food on the table — but the ADLA Community Opportunity Center and OIC of Wayne County are stepping up for their neighbors. ❤️ Their Free Food Pantry in Mt. Olive, NC is open to all families, offering fresh produce, canned goods, and meat — no cost, no registration, just support when it’s needed most. 📍 Location: 612 Breazeale Ave, Mt. Olive, NC 28365 🕚 Time: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM 📅 Every 1st & 3rd Tuesday This pantry has become a crucial community resource during uncertain times — proving that when government help slows down, local hearts step up. 💪🏾💛 #MtOliveNC #FoodPantry #SNAPBenefits #CommunitySupport #WayneCounty #FreeGroceries #FoodAssistance #TatianaJ #NewsBreak #SNAPBenefits #SNAPLife #SNAPTalk