We refuse to let neighbors go hungry while politicians posture. We can stand up a street-level safety net in days. Neighborhood plan: "Block Food Steward" model One steward per block. A volunteer with a single shelf or 2-3 totes of staples who coordinates quiet, no-shame help. Starter shelf (suggested): 10 lb rice • 10 lb dry beans • 8 lb pasta 12 cans vegetables • 12 cans protein (tuna/chicken/beans) 2 large peanut butter • 2 shelf-stable milk packs • 1 cooking oil Baby formula (sealed), diapers (mixed sizes), wipes, soap, toothpaste
How it works: 1. Steward posts once to the block group: "I've got a small shelf of staples. DM 'BAG' no questions asked." 2. Keep a simple in/out tally; rotate oldest first; replace what's used. 3. If demand spikes, steward pings the block: "NEED: 6 cans, 2 pastas, diapers size 4." 4. For larger needs, handoff to a local food bank. Privacy and dignity first—no photos, no public names. Comment to volunteer: STEWARD - [Your Street Name] Comment to donate: DONOR - [Item or $ pledge] Need help? DM me the word BAG. No shame.
Volunteer at food banks this week. Show up for a 2-hour shift. Sorting, bagging, intake, there's a role for everyone. Donate smart. Shelf-stable staples first; ask for priority items before dropping off. Be kind to clerks. They didn't create this mess. They're catching the fallout. Hunger is not a negotiating tactic. Contact your state and federal reps today and demand: An immediate SNAP/WIC bridge with retroactive benefits. No more hostage-taking of basic nutrition assistance.
De-link food aid from unrelated fights. Fix the pipeline, then debate policy. No politics at the pantry door. We help first, argue later. No purity tests. If someone says they're short on food, we feed them. Dignity and privacy. DM, porch drop-offs, initials only. Safety: sealed formula only, check dates, store cool/dry, pet-safe. The Timeline? Tonight: Name stewards; seed each shelf with a starter kit. Within 48 hours: Every block has at least one steward, a group text, and a small reserve.
HOW TO ORGANIZE YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD FOR THE END OF SNAP
This is important. This came to me overnight through a group organizing in the PNW. Please consider adopting these strategies where you live. YOU WILL SAVE LIVES. SNAP runs out 11-1.
Start a block/neighborhood channel on Signal and get to work.