On November 1, 2025, millions of families across the U.S. will suddenly lose their SNAP food benefits due to the second longest government shutdown in U.S. history.

That means parents will open empty fridges, skip meals, and quietly go without so their kids can eat.

My name is Jeff Knauss, and I believe that having access to healthy food is a human right — not a privilege.

I went from being born into two 16-year old birth parents living in poverty in South Korea, to being adopted by a loving family in Upstate NY. Had that not been the case, my life's story would be very different through no choice of my own.

I’m not part of any organization or government agency — I’m just a dad, neighbor, and business owner living in Upstate New York.

We can’t wait for the government and bureaucracy to fix this.

So we’re stepping in. My family is personally donating $10,000 to launch a community relief fund that provides up to $150 per household in the form of physical Wegmans gift cards.

Here’s how it works:

People in need can request help directly at jeffknauss.com/snap.

Requests will be accepted on a first-come, first serve basis.

They will be reviewed on a rolling basis as we raise more money, and approved recipients will be able to pick up their gift cards in person at designated Wegmans locations in the Syracuse and Rochester areas.

We’re using physical Wegmans gift cards for in-person pickup to make sure the help goes directly to real people and families here in Central and Western New York — not scammers online.

Huge thank you to Evelyn from Wegmans for helping me figure out the logistics — their team has been incredibly supportive in helping make local pickup possible.

If you don’t need the help — please share this so it reaches those who do.

And if you have the means, please consider donating.

Every dollar raised will go directly toward helping local families put food on their tables during this crisis.

We will be purchasing the gift cards and grants will be planned to go out early November. We will continue until the government restores SNAP benefits or until funds run out. If the government reopens or SNAP is reinstated before then, all remaining donations will be given to our regional Food Bank.

No bureaucracy. No shame. Just people helping people.

mini me

Featured causes