A teen in Gwinnett County, Georgia, has stepped up to help the people in his community who are impacted by the suspension of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits caused by the federal government shutdown. Sixteen-year-old Jaeleon Hawkins-Jones of Snellville started a GoFundMe campaign in partnership with the Southeast Gwinnett Co-op Ministry to provide food boxes with rice, pasta, canned goods, cereal, peanut butter, and other essentials to affected residents. Jaeleon’s initial goal of $1,000 was quickly met and exceeded, so he plans to include gift cards recipients can use to put gas in their cars along with the food.

About 1.4 million people throughout Georgia receive SNAP benefits, and rely on the program to help them get enough to eat every month. As Jaeleon puts it, “When leadership fails to act, regular people like us have to step up.” Can you think of ways you could help your neighbors in need?