Hungry? SNAP recipients get half-off comfort food at St. Louis restaurant
HNB-SLU entrepreneur Byron Hayes, owner of Joe Jo's Chicken & Fish stepped up to help his neighbors combat food insecurity during the government shutdown and the hold placed on SNAP benefits. We are proud to support Byron through the HNB program at Saint Louis University’s Chaifetz School of Business, as he continues to serve his neighborhood with compassion and leadership.
Carol Williams, right, receives her shrimp order from owner Byron Hayes, left, at Joe Jo’s Fish & Chicken on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, in St. Louis. Amid the government shutdown, Hayes is offering meals for half off for customers who show their EBT cards in order to provide some relief during the SNAP funding cut. “It’s a blessing,” Williams said, who is a SNAP recipient and came to get food after hearing about the discount.
Liz Rymarev, Post-Dispatch
ST. LOUIS — Comfort food eatery Joe-Jo’s Fish & Chicken is giving out two half-price meals a day to those who receive SNAP benefits.Restaurant owner Byron Hayes said offering relief to the community during the government shutdown, with funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program still in flux, was a “no- brainer.”
“We felt like it was something that we had to do, no question about that,” Hayes said. “What can we do to lighten the load for a little bit?”
He and St. Louis University’s Habitat for Neighborhood Business, a nonprofit that serves business owners in St. Louis, came up with the new promotion as a way to boost morale in the community ahead of the holidays, Hayes said.
Joe-Jo’s, at 4132 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive, serves catfish sandwiches, chicken wings and fries, hush puppies, fried okra and more. Through Saturday, customers who present a valid SNAP card and second piece of identification can get a 50% discount once per day for up to two meals. Drinks are not included.
Hayes is also hopeful that the campaign will bring customers to Joe-Jo's. The May 16 tornado damaged the building and cut business, and the restaurant has struggled to recover.
“This will get some new people in and give people a chance to see what we’re about,” he said.
Pumpkin Johnson takes a phone call while preparing orders during lunch hour at Joe Jo's Fish & Chicken in St. Louis, on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025. Amid the government shutdown and pause on SNAP funding, the restaurant is providing discounted meals for people who show their EBT card. "I've been through hard times, and it feels good to give back to the community," Johnson said.
More than 650,000 low-income Missourians rely on the state’s $1.5 billion SNAP program. Funding for the program was put on pause Nov. 1. Last week, President Donald Trump’s administration said it will partially fund SNAP after a pair of judges’ rulings required it to keep the food aid program running — but then the administration appealed the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court.
The Missouri Department of Social Services, which administers SNAP on behalf of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, said it plans to issue partial benefits mid-November, barring any changes.
At around noon Wednesday at Joe-Jo's, Carol Williams of the Central West End bought a catfish sandwich and a shrimp meal.
“With the way it is with the economy and high prices, it's been harder for people trying to survive,” said Williams, who receives SNAP benefits. “If more restaurants like this participate, it would make it a whole lot easier for people to get food.”
Lucinda Perry Jones, executive director of Habitat for Neighborhood Business, said the campaign with Joe-Jo's could last beyond Saturday, depending on customer response and the state of the government shutdown.
“We know that there is increased food insecurity, increased stress and we want to be able to help alleviate that,” Jones said. “Together, we can get more food to people who are really experiencing a lot of anxiety and food insecurity while their SNAP benefits are on hold.”
Habitat for Neighborhood Business works to revitalize North City neighborhoods through entrepreneurship. The program provides business owners with business education, professional mentoring and networking opportunities. The program has helped over 50 entrepreneurs since its founding in 2006.
Jones said they chose to partner with Hayes, who has been involved with the nonprofit since he opened his business in 2019, due to his commitment and love for his neighbors.
“He’s really always promoting health within the community,” Jones said. “He’s really interested in people having what they need to succeed.”
Hayes has previously given out food to residents during the COVID-19 pandemic and following the May tornado.
Hayes, who grew up nearby in the Ville neighborhood, said it’s all about community for him.
“I hope people don’t feel embarrassed. That’s not what this is about,” Hayes said. “Come on in and get your meal, half off, and enjoy some good food.”
View this story on KSDK-Channel 5 News
Read the original story at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch
