Since Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits expired on November 1, millions of Americans who rely on the program for food have been affected. Plus, the government shutdown is now the longest in U.S. history. Furloughed federal employees, who haven’t received paychecks, are turning to food banks for meals.
Here is a list of restaurants and food delivery services providing deals and meals to federal workers and SNAP customers. Most offers just require a federal government employee ID, a SNAP/EBT card, or a military ID. Make sure to also check your local restaurants and chains for deals, especially if you’re in the DMV area.
Carl’s Jr.
The fast food chain will offer $1 meal deals for SNAP recipients and federal workers in select Southern California and Arizona locations until the government shutdown ends. The meal includes a kids hamburger, small fries and a kids drink.
TGI Friday’s
Kids can eat free every day until November 20 and every Tuesday until the end of the year afterward. Customers must purchase a $10 minimum adult entree while dining in to redeem the free meal. The deal applies to one adult entree per day.
Other chains have ongoing kids eat free deals, including Denny’s, Ruby Tuesday’s, and Huddle House. Chicken Salad Chick, with locations based primarily around the Southeast, is also giving away free kids meals with no purchase necessary until the shutdown ends.
Bubbakoo’s Burritos
The regional burrito chain is offering SNAP participants either a full burrito or burrito bowl for $5 throughout the shutdown.
Impossible Foods
SNAP recipients can get two free Impossible products at their local grocery store by signing up for coupons at this link.
Giant Foods
The grocery chain is based in the DMV area, with a large population of federal workers who have been hit hard by the shutdown. This Thanksgiving, the grocery chain is giving away 1,000 free holiday meal kits to furloughed employees and SNAP participants.
Each chef-curated meal includes a turkey breast, fresh produce, non-perishable sides, spices, and a Giant Foods gift card. Customers can reserve a meal at this link, and they can pick up meals at a distribution event on November 25.
DoorDash
DoorDash is waiving delivery and service fees on 300,000 grocery orders in November for customers who link SNAP/EBT cards to their accounts. The deal applies to Sprouts, Dollar General, Schnucks, Ahold Delhaize brands, Hy-Vee, Giant Eagle, and Wegmans.
Instacart
Active SNAP customers on Instacart can receive a 50% discount on one grocery order in November. The deal maxes out at a $50 discount per order.
Gopuff
The grocery delivery service is offering two $25 credits to SNAP participants throughout the month. Until November 15, customers can receive the first $25 credit on Gopuff with the code SNAPRELIEF1. The code SNAPRELIEF2 will do the same from November 16 to 30.