This Entrepreneur Gave Out Gift Cards For SNAP Relief And The Story Is Heartwarming

In the panic and uncertainty surrounding Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits during the government shutdown, there are some heartwarming deeds being done to feed Americans. Around 42 million Americans rely on SNAP, and food banks and pantries have been preparing as much as possible to meet crushing demand. Community efforts and bipartisan business measures are being combined to provide some sort of help during the SNAP gap. People help with as much as they can, and also by contributing to fundraisers. Jeff Knauss, an entrepreneur based in upstate New York, has used GoFundMe to raise big money for SNAP recipients in his area.

"As I thought about a government shutdown, I'm like, there's nothing that I can do to change a government shutdown," Knauss explained to News 10 in Rochester, New York. "But I found that the best cure to feeling helpless is just to take action."

Knauss took action by starting a fundraiser to buy grocery gift cards for SNAP beneficiaries. He worked late into the night to design a campaign for the fundraiser, and contributed the first $10,000 himself. He partnered with Wegmans, a major East Coast grocery retailer, to work out logistics for the purchase of $150 gift cards for SNAP recipients facing major cuts. Knauss ended up raising over $200,000 in a handful of days. Some of the funds will be distributed via gift cards, and some will flow directly to area food banks. 

Over $150,000 of Knauss' donations have been spent on Wegmans gift cards, distributed to more than 1,000 SNAP beneficiaries who signed up through Knauss' recruitment program. As of November 7, over $64,000 in additional funds have been donated, and any of those donations that don't go to gift cards will be sent to local food banks like Rochester's Foodlink and Syracuse's Food Bank of Central New York.

Knauss did not want to wait for the conflicted hand of bureaucratic government to resolve the halt in SNAP funding. As the USDA warned grocery stores not to cut back prices for SNAP recipients, he chose to take his own course by starting the fundraiser.  

However, more than 30,000 people applied for a gift card through Knauss' fundraising drive, and millions more Americans need similar aid. People can still donate directly to Knauss' GoFundMe page, and they can also work with their own local food banks, food pantries, and charity centers to help with food donations, organization, and deliveries. While partial SNAP funds are expected to be released by the government, November SNAP payments will look very different. So, only time will tell if more people like Knauss will take matters into their own hands in the meantime.