Kelly Dobbins is the chef and owner of Iona’s Kitchen in the food court at Tower Square.
Republican file photo
SPRINGFIELD — A small business owner is having a large impact on hungry Springfield residents.
Kelly Dobbins, who owns Iona’s Kitchen at Tower Square, is offering free hot meals to as many people as possible each Friday in November.
“I just wanted to make sure people have something to eat,” Dobbins said. “The government held the food stamps and people need help.”
The federal government shut down on Oct. 1 due to Congress’s inability to agree on funding legislation. President Donald Trump’s administration halted the November distribution of benefits for the 42 million Americans who receive funds from the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program. November was the first month SNAP benefits had been unfunded in a government shutdown since the Food Stamp Act of 1964.
“I’m a community person,” Dobbins said, “so I felt like, ‘What can I do to help?’” Leaning on his skills as a chef, the restaurant owner decided to provide free meals to as many people as possible every Friday in November. Dobbins estimated that between 500 and 1,000 will be distributed each week. At the first meal distribution, about 500 meals were given out at Wesley United Methodist Church and another 175 in Pine Point.
“I’m in every part of the city,” Dobbins said. The Nov. 14 meal distribution was at the South End Community Center. On Nov. 21, New North Citizens Council at 2988 Main St. will host the meal distribution. Trinity United Methodist Church, 361 Sumner Ave., will be the site of the meals on Nov. 28. Meals at each location will be handed out beginning at 4 p.m. and will end when all the food is gone.
Dobbins said he would not be able to accomplish the meal distribution without help. “I call around and have volunteers help me. I can’t put out that many meals by myself,” he said. About 18 people helped him with the Nov. 7 distribution.
On Nov. 12, two days after the Senate approved legislation to fund the government until January, the House of Representatives took a similar vote, and the legislation was signed by Trump. Despite the reopening of the federal government, it is expected to take time for various services to come back online. As of press time, it was unclear when federal SNAP benefits would resume.
“I’m just going month to month,” Dobbins said. “If there’s a need next month, we’ll figure something out.”
