Free food for SNAP recipients NC | Restaurant owner, Cuban immigrant paying forward after childhood with single struggling mom
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — Restaurateur Anthony Rapillo says growing up with a single mom, he remembers receiving food assistance to get through a hard time.
“My mom was a prideful, first-generation Cuban immigrant,” he said. “I know that it was an ego blow, and she had to swallow your pride, but she did what she had to do to provide for her family.”
Rapillo now owns four restaurants between Cary and Raleigh. He’s getting ready to open three other spots in the Triangle.
Rapillo named his company in honor of his mother, Layla, and when he heard that more than 580,000 across the state were impacted by SNAP benefits ending, he decided to step in to help.
“It’s kind of just common sense for us to try to do what we can to kind of just like return the favor,” said Rapillo.
He is now offering free food, once per week, to SNAP recipients at V Pizza, La Taqueria, and Flour and Barrel.
Rapillo is calling on other restaurateurs to join him in helping those facing food insecurities.
“It’s just people trying to feed their family and it’s nothing more than that,” he said.
1.4 million North Carolinians receive SNAP benefits and are impacted by the federal government shutdown.
A Place at the Table is Raleigh’s only pay-what-you-can restaurant.
Community Manager Cheyanne Headen says there’s been a sharp increase in foot traffic since SNAP benefits ended.
“We’ve had one of the busiest days ever on Sunday,” said Headen. “We have been bustling since we opened (Tuesday) at 8 a.m. I mean, the lines have been out the door.”
Guglhupf Bakery is also trying to help during the shutdown and offering SNAP recipients one free loaf of bread at its Durham or Chapel Hill location.
The Brass Tap Raleigh is offering food to federal workers who are not receiving a paycheck and to families waiting on SNAP benefits.
SEE ALSO | Where to find food help, get a hot meal or donate to a pantry or food bank in central NC
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