As recipients saw SNAP benefits restored over the weekend, many could breathe a sigh of relief. Some reported a surge as people had access to funds to head back to the grocery store.

It also meant a small bit of relief for those working to help.

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“It was so emotional for us,” Haseeb Ahmed, owner of Cheeks Chicken and Waffles, said.

It was a busy 10-day stretch for the restaurant in Manchester.

“Our first few days were super busy, we were closing early because we were running out of Chicken here,” Ahmed said.

The restaurant was offering a “kids eat free” deal while SNAP benefits remained in limbo. He wanted to make sure no kid went hungry with lack of benefits.

Ahmed said the Manchester community really stepped up

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