City of Cleveland Launches Free Food Pickups Following the End of Pandemic-Era SNAP Benefits

Families that largely depended on SNAP benefits will lose up to $100 a month after its end.

A food bank inside a grocery in New York. (Photo: Forbes)

Making up for the loss of monthly bonuses

After the government shut down SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Program) benefits after its three-year-long service for allotments, local households are projected to lose an extra $100 a month. Following this news, the City of Cleveland initiated the Free Food Pickup program, to make up for the loss of monthly financial assistance. The city of Cleveland announced that the distribution of free food pickups will start on Wednesday. These free food pickups are projected to aid 1 out of 3 Clevelanders that also depended on SNAP benefits.

In contrast with the uplifting news of starting a free food pickup initiative, the Cleveland Department of Aging Director Mary McNamara argued in a press release that due to the free food pickup initiative, “some will lose much more”, due to the inflated food prices. This is directed to seniors and families that belong to the low-income class. Regardless, starting a free food pickup program will surely outweigh the negatives it may bring.

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Free Food Pickup Options for Clevelanders

Free food pickups will start on Wednesday, as the city of Cleveland announced, and Clevelanders will have options on where to claim them.

• Every first Wednesdays every month, starting 3 pm to 6 pm, the pickups can be claimed at the Collinwood Rec Center, 16300 Lakeshore Blvd.
• Every third Mondays every month, starting 3 pm to 6 pm, Clevelanders can proceed to the Michael Zone Rec Center, 6301 Lorain Ave.
• Every second Fridays every month, starting 2 pm to 4 pm, at the Boys & Girls Club parking lot, at the corner of East 59th St. and Haltnorth Ave.
• During second Tuesdays every month (beginning on April 11th), located at the J. Glen Smith Health Center, 11100 St. Clair Ave.
• During third Wednesdays every month (beginning on April 19th), at the Thomas McCafferty Health Center, 4242 Lorain Ave.

The program may not offer an extra $100 monthly, but starting a free food pickup program will still surely be a huge help to everyone involved.

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