Despite judicial intervention that determined the U.S. Department of Agriculture must continue Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits during a government showdown, uncertainty and food insecurity fears ramped.
“I checked my (status Saturday morning) and no benefits have been uploaded,” testified a woman attending an emergency event at Donnelly Homes where 50 residents each received a $100 gift cards distributed to ShopRite.
(L.A. Parker/The Trentonian)
One Simple Wish Executive Director Danielle Gletow delivered the gift cards as part of her non-profit’s mission to raise awareness and empower everyone to restore hope and happiness to kids and young adults impacted by foster care and affected by crisis throughout the United States.
A discontinuation of SNAP benefits stood to impact nearly 12,000 Trenton residents. Tonya Grant, program and event coordinator for Trenton Housing Authority, knew exactly whom to call when she learned SNAP benefits could pause on Nov. 1.
“Danielle Gletow,” Grant offered, “Ms. Danielle responded within 48 hours. And, while (Gletow) wanted to help with financial support, she also wanted to meet with the residents to hear about what’s going on in their lives.”
Trenton Housing Authority’s gymnasium served as ground zero for the ShopRite card giveaway. The morning event included various food items donated by Wegmans.
Gletow started her One Simple Wish (www.one simplewish.org) organization in 2008, and has granted hundreds of thousands of wishes.
“We’ve been working with Tonya and the Trenton Housing Authority for quite some time. I love Tonya, the work she does, and the relationships she has with residents,” Gletow praised.
“I love people, love children. And, I want to use whatever resources and network that I have to bring as much support as possible.”
(L.A. Parker/The Trentonian)
Gletow and Grant understood that gaps in benefits would surface, but they wanted insight about the larger picture.
“Not just what might be happening during the SNAP crisis, we wanted to know about the daily issues residents faced. So, we asked them,” Gletow said.
Those interests continued as One Simple Wish asked residents to fill out a questionnaire.
“All anonymous but we need to hear from the residents. Their voices remain important as we move forward,” Gletow advised.
