ECORSE, Mich. – O’Brien’s Market in Ecorse is offering a temporary 10% discount to customers amid uncertainty around the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Over the past week and a half store managers say many regular shoppers have come in asking questions about SNAP benefits amid a government shutdown that left some households unsure when assistance would be restored for November.
The USDA initially advised recipients benefits would be cut November 1. However, two federal court judge ordered the Administration to continue benefits to the SNAP program. A group of Attorneys General and governors from across the country filed a lawsuit alleging withholding the funding was illegal, and argued contingency funds were in place to keep the federal food assistance program operating.
“The uncertainty of the SNAP program -- the shutdown and all of that,” said Alvin Shadhaya, co-manager at O’Brien’s. “If there’s anything I can do, I’m willing,” said Alvin Shadhaya, Store Manager at O’Brien’s Market in Ecorse.
Managers estimate roughly 40% of the market’s shoppers rely on SNAP. For employees like Nathaniel Smith, the situation has been especially difficult because many customers are people the staff see regularly and rely on to feed their families.
“We have many customers that come in, they shop here multiple times a day. They get to know our faces,” Smith said. “I feel for the families that rely solely on the benefits -- the elderly folks and the disabled folks that can’t actually get out to work. These are benefits that they actually need to live.”
To help, O’Brien’s Market decided to give a 10% discount on grocery purchases at this location until the market receives word that SNAP benefits for the month have been fully restored. The store’s leadership said the cut is meaningful given tight retail margins and rising food prices.
“Times like now, we can’t really work on a huge margin. Prices are already up; the price of food has skyrocketed,” Shadhaya said. “So, to give 10%, it’s a big deal.”
Employees described the discount as one way of neighbor-helping-neighbor and a way to show customers the store cares.
“We want them to know that we care about you,” Smith said. “We’re here for you at the end of the day.”
O’Brien’s Market is located at 185 Southfield Road, Ecorse, MI 48229. Customers with questions were encouraged to speak with store staff.