When Dan Raskin arrived at work at 5 a.m. Monday at Manny’s Cafeteria & Deli, a line had already formed outside the Near West Side restaurant for a free meal advertised on social media for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients.

By 10 a.m., two hours after opening, Manny’s had gone through the 300 meals — a sandwich, potato pancake and a drink — it planned to give to people who didn’t receive funds to buy groceries on Nov. 1, the day SNAP funds were initially frozen amid the federal government shutdown.

“I hope that the people who need help can get the help that they need, and there is clearly a need,” said Raskin, the owner of the deli often known for its clout-heavy clientele. “I’m hoping that other restaurants can step [in] and do the same thing.”

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