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When Casey Neufeld announced on that denver neighbor’s Facebook The page that his family will pass on to him ramen And macaroni and cheese with traditional Sweet it HalloweenHe expected some reaction.
The mother of four-year-old twins was just hoping to make a small difference in her working-class community. Because the government shutdown was expected to cut off food aid funding for millions of vulnerable Americans.
Within just two days, Neufeld’s post received nearly 3,000 reactions, many of whom expressed gratitude and others pledging to follow his lead.
“This post has gone way more than I expected and I’m seriously unprepared,” said Neufeld, 33, who is now returning to stores for more supplies despite already meeting her family’s weekly grocery budget.
“I wish I could buy this whole aisle costco,” she added, “I can’t. But I’ll do what I can.”
Neufeld is one of many across the US preparing to deliver shelf-stable foods to trick-or-treaters this year, aiming to mitigate the impact of impending cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which assists about one in eight Americans with grocery shopping.
There has been a flood of widely shared posts over the past several days as many people look for ways to help offset the surge in need.
Some posts suggest foods to give while others show a ready stock of recently acquired cheese sticks, mini cereals, canned soups or even diapers for trick-or-treaters.
The post is often followed by a series of comments from people announcing similar plans, along with plenty of reminders not to forget the candy.
Emily Archambault, 29, and her sister-in-law Taylor Martin, 29, of La Porte, IndianaWill put out pasta and sauce, peanut butter and jelly, cereal and other foods along with diapers and wipes on Halloween. They are also collecting donations from their church members.
Their plan is to put everything on a table away from where they are handing out candy, so families can get what they need without worrying about judgment.
“It takes a little pressure off the parents,” Martin said. “You’re out and about trick-or-treating and it’s there and your kids probably won’t even know you’re taking it.”
Archambault said she relied on the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, known as WIC, because her son’s medical complications kept her from working temporarily.
Losing that assistance will mean turning to food pantries. And while she said there are great people in her field, she hopes they move on.
“We have to pull together,” he said. “I’m grateful to have benefited, and now I’m even more grateful to be able to give back.”
Erica Dutka, who relies on SNAP to support herself and her three children in Archbald, pennsylvaniaWent on “Trunk or Treat” on Sunday with people taking candy out of the trunks of cars. She said she was relieved to find packs of ramen, oatmeal, juice, pretzels and fruit snacks in addition to the sweet treats.
The 36-year-old — who works two jobs and goes to school full-time — said the meals mean she’ll have plenty of snacks for her kids to take to school for the rest of the week and she can save her last $100 of SNAP funds.
“It gives me more time,” she said. “Maybe things will change. Maybe it will turn around again.”
Neufeld, a Denver mom who stockpiles shelf-stable items for trick-or-treaters, said she relied on a food bank at her college to get her through school.
She said most people would never know she was really struggling. And now, with SNAP running out, she wants people to remember not to think about others.
“You don’t really know what other people are going through,” he said. “So even if they ‘don’t look like they need help,’ it’s still important that you offer help whenever you can because it can make a huge difference.”