BLYTHEWOOD – In an initiative that was spurred by the government shutdown, members of Town Council stepped up during a special called meeting last month to talk about what the Town can do to help people who depend on SNAP and other government subsidies and who may be running out of food.
“I think it would be good for us to come together and do a project as a council,” said Blythewood Councilwoman Andrea Fripp who initiated the endeavor in support of those in the community in need of food as a result of the shutdown.
Mayor Pro Tem Donald Brock called for the Blythewood community to come together to support their neighbors in need through such a community-wide food drive benefiting the Christian Assistance Bridge food bank (CAB).
“During the months of November through January, we invite all residents, schools, churches, and local businesses to join hands and help ensure that no family in our community goes hungry”
According to Kate Williams, director of CAB, rising costs and economic challenges have left many households in the community struggling to put food on the table.
Fripp said she has reached out to CAB, KJ’s and Food Lion to see what options might be available for the Town to partner with them through financial donations or matching opportunities.
She said KJ’s and Food Lion are providing grocery bags of non-perishable food items at low cost for customers to purchase and that are then donated to CAB.
KJ’s Manager Kevin Portee said many KJ’s customers are purchasing turkeys at KJ’s for a deeply discounted price and that the store them donates those turkeys to CAB.
Through Nov. 27, the store is offering turkeys for .19c per pound with a $25 purchase. To be eligible for that low price, customers must be registered for the store’s discount program.
Portee said the store has also reduced prices on most items that go into preparing a Thanksgiving dinner.
The consensus of council members was to come back with a plan of action to vote on at the Nov, 24 regular council meeting.