With the federal government’s biggest food assistance program in peril — and not knowing when it will restart in full — the community stepped up last week to ensure that no one in Wrangell goes without something to eat during the political stalemate between the president and Congress.

“People shouldn’t have to go hungry,” said Alisha Mora, who owns The Wolf Shack with her husband, Chris Miera.

The couple announced last week that they would provide meals to community members who lose their food benefits while the federal government is mostly shut down, which stopped the on-time distribution of full monthly benefits for November.

“If you, your children or any senior citizen are affected by this and need a meal, come to the Wolf Shack and we will feed you,” the couple said in a Facebook post. “It will be nuggets or a classic cheeseburger, just so we can keep costs down, but we are 100% committed to not seeing anybody be hungry at this time.”

In addition to contributing from the shelves and coolers at their business, they are accepting community donations to help defray the cost of the food.

“We will just keep a tally in the front of money donated and just put it toward free meals until this ridiculous event is through!”

People can donate at the business, or by Venmo or other online platforms.

In addition to The Wolf Shack, Vivian Faith Prescott posted on Oct. 29 that she was organizing a baked goods “giftaway” for Sunday, Nov. 2, on Outer Drive to help people who will miss their November benefits, plus senior citizens, furloughed federal employees and anyone unemployed.

“Come get some bakery items,” she announced, while also asking community members to help out by dropping off baked goods for the event. “This is a good way to help your fellow Wrangellites.”

Two federal judges ordered the Trump administration on Friday, Oct. 31, to distribute funds to the states for the November food stamp benefits, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. The administration announced Monday that it would send money to the states this week to cover half the month’s regular benefits.

Restoration of full benefits depends on Congress and the president resolving their disagreements over federal spending. The lack of a deal shut down the government on Oct. 1.

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy on Monday issued a disaster declaration to enable the use of limited state funds to supplement the reduced federal SNAP aid and possibly also help food banks meet heavier demand for their services.

When food stamp benefits start flowing again, Mora and Miera said they would either return any unused money to the donors or redirect the funds to another charity, such as a food pantry or Salvation Army, according to each donor’s preference.

SNAP benefits help feed 42 million Americans, more than 66,000 Alaskans, and more than 100 Wrangell households.

“We’re going to do what we can do,” Mora said in an interview.

If anyone’s SNAP benefits have been cut off, they are invited to come to The Wolf Shack. No identification or SNAP card is required. “We are not going to require proof,” Miera said in an interview. “We’re expecting everyone to be honest.”

And there is no limit. “If they need to come by once a day to feed their kids, they can come by every day,” he said.

“You are not just people that we share an island with, you are our family,” the couple said in their Facebook post.