Owner of Bristol County restaurant, with help from the public, feeding people for free or reduced price due to no SNAP benefits during shutdown

A Bristol County restauranteur is helping those in need due to personal experience after learning that SNAP benefits are on track to not be issued on November 1st.

Sylvester English, owner of the award-winning Kinfolks Smoking BBQ at 289 Winthrop Street in Taunton announced his plan on social media on Monday.

“Growing up in the projects in Florida, I vividly recall waiting till the beginning of the month to catch the street bus with my mom to go pick up our food stamps and government cheese. This was the only time of the month our refrigerator was full, a beacon of hope for a brighter future. Even though she worked tirelessly at two full-time jobs, 80 hours a week, it still wasn’t enough, and we truly needed those food stamps. Just as it was then, many hard-working families today depend on government assistance, so we will offer $6 dollar dinners every Monday as long as the government is shut down, and if you don’t have the means, just come by and enjoy a complimentary meal on me.”

The post sparked help from the public which resulted in the eatery posting a Venmo Tuesday to help feed more people.

“To everyone asking how they can contribute to Kinfolks’ efforts to feed our community, I would like to say that when doing God’s work, financial support follows. We have received enough donations to feed 80 people next week. I will need the community’s help in identifying those in need, including families and programs, to ensure they receive hot, prepared meals on Monday.”

If you are looking to help the cause or identify those in need, you can go to Kinfolk’s Facebook page by clicking here.