As soon as independent grocer Gilpin Matthews found out that political wrangling in Washington, D.C., could threaten funding for SNAP, he turned to a well-worn playbook to ensure no one in the rural community where he lives would go hungry.

Although only a small percentage of shoppers who visit the store he runs on Madeline Island in northern Wisconsin rely on the federally funded nutrition assistance program, Matthews has grown accustomed to supply chain disruptions over the past few years — and made a practice of stockpiling supplies. So when the USDA said it would stop distributing benefits to SNAP participants during the shutdown that paralyzed the government this fall, Matthews decided that if someone’s SNAP card didn’t work, he would give food away for free.

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The day before SNAP benefits lapsed on Nov. 1, Midwest grocery chain Hy-Vee unveiled a hot foodservice program at all of its stores to provide free meals to children ages 12 and under and the same meal for $3 for everyone else.

The grocer said it decided to stand up the program after seeing news that food banks were preparing to serve a record number of people in the coming weeks. Hy-Vee partnered with suppliers, growers and CPGs, including Dole Food Company and Pillsbury.