TOPEKA (KSNT) – Topeka firefighters are collecting donations for the city’s “Oh SNAP!” fundraising campaign created to help families in need who were impacted by recent uncertainty in the government food program.
The government shutdown interrupted benefits for millions of Americans who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, driving them to local food banks for support. Food banks around the city are still trying to build their supplies back up.
Fire department personnel in Topeka said it’s nice to help out in a variety of ways.
“It’s a nice break up in the day,” said BreAnna Droge with the Topeka Fire Department firefighter. “It’s really nice to see our community face-to-face. And other than crisis times, it’s a time of peace and calm.”
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“That’s what we do every day is help serve. And this is just a part of what we do,” said TFD Fire Chief Chad Longstaff. “And so, it really wasn’t hard for our guys to come out here and try to help the citizens to refill the food banks.”
The United Way of Kaw Valley will distribute the donations to local organizations that will use the money to stock up on food for people in need.
You can make donations online by using this link and choosing the “One-Time Payment” option. Then choose “Finance Misc. Billing” as the payment category and, lastly, enter “Oh SNAP” into the account number field.
People can drop cash donations off from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov.14-15. Physical collection locations are below:
- Lyman and Tyler.
- 37th and Topeka Boulevard.
- 17th and Arvonia.
- 29th and California.
- Topeka Boulevard and Huntoon.
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