The effects of the recent government shutdown are being felt across the country, especially by families who rely on assistance programs. With looming funding cuts to SNAP and EBT, some households may soon find themselves struggling to pay for food.

Local business owner Christine Staley isn’t just talking about the issue; she’s taking action. As the owner of Magic City Hoagies and Sweets, Christine is giving out free sandwiches to anyone in need. She told The Northern Sentry that after hearing about how people may go hungry, she knew she wanted to help in the best way she could, through food. “Food is my love language,” Christine said, explaining that sharing it is her way of lending a hand during this difficult time.
With Thanksgiving approaching, Christine felt this was the perfect moment to give back and spread gratitude in her community.

This isn’t the first time she’s used her passion for cooking to serve others. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Christine provided more than 1,000 free lunches to children who lost access to school meal programs due to closures.
Now, she’s opening her doors once again. From November 1 to 8, Magic City Hoagies will extend its hours from 2 to 4 p.m. each day to serve free meal boxes that include a sandwich, drink, chips, and a chocolate chip cookie. Those wishing to receive a free meal simply need to show their SNAP or EBT card and indicate how many meals they need. To help with planning, Christine encourages people to call ahead and pre-order their boxes.

In addition, military members can receive a free boxed meal through a voucher program organized by Magic City Hoagies and Keli Rosselli-Sullivan in coordination with the Minot Area Chamber EDC, ensuring that service members are also cared for during this uncertain time. According to Rosselli-Sullivan, 200 vouchers have been released to the 1st Sergeants (1st Shirts) on MAFB. Those military members in need can reach out to the 1st Sergeant in their unit to request a meal voucher.
Christine isn’t sure how many people will come each day, but she’s prepared to meet the demand. While her business is covering most of the costs, several of her suppliers have offered discounted rates to help. She’s also launched a Pay It Forward option, allowing customers to add five dollars to their order to cover the cost of a meal for someone else.
Across Minot, many local businesses and organizations are stepping up as well, stocking food pantries, gathering donations, and making sure no one goes hungry. As Christine put it, “No one should feel ashamed. Getting food is what’s important, and helping each other is what this season is all about.”