With uncertainty still surrounding what exactly will happen to the federal government’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program if the government shutdown continues, a local cannabis dispensary is planning food giveaways to help Salinas and the surrounding community.

At 10 a.m.  Friday, East of Eden Cannabis Co., will be distributing food to those presenting Electronic Benefit Transfer cards, an alternative EBT program they’re calling “Eat Better Together” or “En Beneficio de Todos” (for the benefit of all).

The dispensary at the corner of John and Work streets in Salinas, has supplies to feed an estimated 300 families this Friday with essentials like pasta, peanut butter, fresh produce, tortillas and canned food.

Mike Bitar, CEO of Grupo Flor, East of Eden’s parent company which has four other locations in the Central Coast area, said that after hearing about many Salinas families struggling to buy enough food without federal assistance, he realized that his business may have the potential to help.

“These are my people here (in Salinas). I raised my kids here. …This is my home and these people are suffering.”

“I contacted food distributors everywhere and said, ‘listen, I need to get pallets of food,’” said Bitar.

Even if the federal government shutdown ends sooner, reopening SNAP funding, Bitar said the dispensary plans to continue with plans to distribute food to a total of around 800 families over the next two Fridays.

Bitar also said that the week of Thanksgiving, his company plans to give out “a couple hundred” turkeys as well.

Bitar hopes that the food distribution effort could inspire other businesses to provide similar support to the community during this time of need.

“We’re here to help and (we hope) other businesses could do the same thing and help our community,” said Bitar.