Among federal government uncertainty, one local business is stepping up to the plate for the community. James Molina, owner of Rosewood Market & Deli at 125 South Main Street, is hosting “Rosewood Friendsgiving” for those who have been relying on SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

This program provides food benefits for low-income families to help supplement grocery needs, and many, many Americans rely on this program. Due to the Trump Administration suspending SNAP and the current federal government shutdown, a lot of people are starting to feel the impact in their wallets and pantries.

“Regardless of which side of the political debate you fall on, this is a holiday,” Molina said. “While there are people who abuse the system, there are a significant number of other people, especially in our neck of the woods, that are elderly, disabled, and … veterans, who really do need the benefits and use them correctly.”

Molina explained that one of the “lesser known” impacts of this suspension so close to a major holiday, Thanksgiving, is that farmers and ranchers have grown produce and raised animals for the holiday. Now these farmers will be missing a “significant portion of funds that … would have been” going into their businesses.

Molina’s goal is to help people “who could use a little bit of help.” He has a big goal of raising $50,000 so he can purchase food from local businesses to create Thanksgiving plates for people who have lost their SNAP benefits this month. The plates will be completely free, and all people need to do is say they need some “Friendsgiving” help.

Molina wants to help more than those who have lost their SNAP benefits, though; he hopes to give plates to government workers who have been out of work for nearly a month, and veterans.

“The other thing is the government is still shut down. It may continue to be shut down, and so we have a significant amount of government workers and remember, none of our military are getting paid. I mean, this is a major problem. Our prison guards aren’t getting paid. Those are all government workers. And we forget about groups like that. These are all normal, hard-working people, but how many of us can afford to be out of [work]? They’re still working so they’re driving back and forth to work … The costs are the same but they’re not getting anything in,” Molina said.

He added that most people cannot afford to not get paid for a month, and invites government workers to stop in as well.

“Anybody who needs the help is welcome,” Molina said.

Donations are currently being accepted in many forms. Those who would like to help Rosewood reach its $50,000 goal can stop in with a cash or check donation, or can donate over the phone. He said that “donating shouldn’t be the hard part.” Rosewood even has a Venmo account where people can also donate, @RosewoodNewtown.

Rosewood Friendsgiving will not just stop at Thanksgiving, however. The owners will be extending the donation collections and operations through the end of the year to help fill the gaps.

For more information, call Rosewood Market & Deli at 203-304-1299, or visit them on Facebook, Rosewood Market & Deli.

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Reporter Sam Cross can be reached at sam@thebee.com.