Gray restaurant offering free meals for kids as SNAP benefits remain suspended

Trinabell’s Diner in Gray is serving free kids’ meals while families across Middle Georgia face food insecurity during the ongoing SNAP benefit pause.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Several restaurants around Middle Georgia are providing free meals for families and children while SNAP benefits have been taken away.

Since November 1, SNAP benefits have been cut off for many families, and they’re having to find ways to feed their children. For that reason, Trinabell’s Diner in Gray is giving children 17 and under free meals until SNAP benefits are restored. 

Ashley Walters, a server, says no child should ever go without a meal due to the shutdown and lost benefits. She says they are offering all children free food from their kids’ menu, including burgers, chicken tenders, grill cheese and much more to fill children’s bellies.  

“We know the impact that SNAP benefits can have on our community,” Walters said. “We know a lot of people personally that it does affect, and it’s just our way of doing our part to try and help make sure none of our kids in our community are hungry.”

Walters says they are expecting more foot traffic due to the free meals, but that’s not stopping them from helping.  

“We definitely have all hands-on deck,” Walters said. “We make sure that all employees are on board and everybody is more than happy to come in and help.”

Kitchen manager at Trinabell’s Brandon Hamilton says preparing food for children during a time like this is heartwarming. 

“I’m very involved in the community here in Gray, not only in Jones County, but in Bibb and surrounding areas,” Hamilton said. “I know many families that are affected by the snap benefits being taking away at the moment and were ready for them to come back in, but at the moment we want to make sure these kids are feed and taken care of.”

Hamilton says he hopes this gesture will help many families with their children. 

“I’m hoping it will be a warm welcome for them,” Hamilton said. “We just want to show that the community has given so much to the restaurant and us as a business in all, and we just want to give back.”

You can also contribute to Trinabell’s by dropping off food to the diner to help support those in need at 115 West Clinton St.