GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — A Gwinnett County teen is stepping up to help families in need as SNAP benefits are paused during the government shutdown

Jaeleon Hawkins-Jones is a high school junior who decided he need to do something when SNAP benefits were paused.

"What made me decide that is because if leadership isn't going to do it, we as citizens have to step up for each other, and I knew that if I wasn't going to do it who was," Hawkins-Jones said.

He started an online fundraiser to buy food, raising more than $2,500. He called Southeast Gwinnett Co-Op Ministry to see if he could partner with them and they agreed. Last week, he handed out 40 boxes of food.

"I felt really happy because they honestly lit up when I saw them," he said. "I saw the smile on their face and I thought, 'Wow, I

See Full Page