SNAP benefits were put on hold in the nation from Nov. 1 to Nov. 7 due to the government shutdown, affecting over 440,000 Minnesotans. In response, Twin Cities restaurants, including Eggroll Queen, Shamrocks, and Hope Breakfast Bar, offered free food for those affected.
During the SNAP benefit pause, Eggroll Queen distributed over 3,700 meals from their food truck in Saint Paul through advertisements on their Facebook.
“Eggroll Queen is a very thoughtful small business where we give back to the community since the community has helped us out a lot,” Eggroll Queen event coordinator Shinney Xiong said.
Shamrocks, a bar in Saint Paul, also provided food to over 50 families that were impacted from Nov. 3 to Nov. 5. Though the focus of their event was on helping children, Shamrocks also served any adults in need.
Mai Vang founded Eggroll Queen 12 years ago as a means to pay off her medical bills. Since then, it has become a successful business, appearing at community festivals, farmers’ markets, and even the Minnesota State Fair.
“Since the community has helped her with her medical bill, she loves to give back to her community,” Xiong said.“We had a heart for the families who were starving.”
Similarly, Shamrocks has a history of giving back to the community. When COVID hit, Shamrocks donated money and food to people in need through a community fundraiser.
“Somehow, $50 turned into $150, and somehow, that $150 turned into $1000,” Shamrocks manager Katie Schille said.
Shamrocks’ fundraiser during COVID inspired them to step up again and start offering food during the SNAP pause. Schille said their experience during the pandemic reminded them that any time another hardship like the SNAP pause comes up in the Twin Cities, local businesses will “all come together and do something better for our communities.”
Volunteers Enlisted to Assist People (VEAP) is a food pantry based in the Twin Cities. During the SNAP pause, VEAP continued its on-site operations while hosting three additional mobile food pantry events.
“I felt like I was doing something,” junior and VEAP volunteer Rachel Nicklay said. “I had fun, and it just felt good to be able to give back to your community and people in need.”
Nicklay is one of more than 10 EHS students who currently volunteer at organizations focused on alleviating food insecurity.
“It feels good, but at the same time, you know we’re all humans, and we all deserve to have food to eat,” Schille said. “We’re just happy if we feed somebody a good meal.”
This piece was originally published in Zephyrus’ print edition on Dec. 18, 2025
