Couple Gets Ready for Halloween with a Surprise Before SNAP Ends

A Heartwarming Halloween Drive

Over 42 million Americans rely on benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This program helps millions of families afford food, but recent challenges have put many at risk. For instance, during a government shutdown, there were concerns about SNAP benefits not being available. In response, some states are taking action to support their residents.

A Riverside couple is turning their Halloween driveway into a pop-up food pantry, providing 30 grocery bags for families. After a TikTok post, strangers’ donations on Venmo helped fund the effort. Their project is now inspiring others to give back.

Martina Meyer-Toribio and her wife, Jacinda, noticed the price jump in Halloween candy when they went to Costco. They decided to scale back their candy purchases and filled their cart with more affordable items like instant noodles and potato chips. However, later that evening, they realized that food stamps were set to expire the day after Halloween.

So why don’t we take it a step further? That was Jacinda’s suggestion. The couple came up with the idea for a Halloween driveway food pantry, turning their holiday night into something meaningful.

Jacinda’s compassion comes from experience. She became a single mom at 23 and relied on resources like food stamps and WIC. Martina grew up in a low-income household and remembers relying on the free lunch program at school. Both women understand the importance of food security and want to help others.

Once they had the idea for the food pantry, Martina reached out to their neighbors through a group chat, hoping to get some help gathering supplies. But the response was minimal. So, she turned to TikTok. After posting a video explaining their idea, the response was immediate and overwhelming, and as the views soared, so did the donations.

With the unexpected funds, the couple set out shopping. They filled 30 grocery bags with inexpensive staples that could stretch into full meals. They included things that make food taste good too — seasonings, oils, and the little details that make a real difference.

Later, at Aldi, a stranger noticed their overflowing cart and jokingly asked if they were prepping for the apocalypse. “No, we’re setting up a food pantry in our driveway for Halloween,” Martina said. The woman looked shocked and quietly handed Jacinda $10 from her own wallet.

Back at home, they began assembling the bags. They didn’t want them to be too heavy, but the plan backfired. Throughout it all, Jacinda continued sharing videos on TikTok, where views — and acts of kindness — kept multiplying.

With Halloween tonight, the couple is putting the final touches on their setup. They’ve arranged two tables in the garage. While they would have preferred to keep the food inside the house, the garage offers more space — though it’s notoriously not the cleanest. Around 4 p.m., they’ll drag the tables outside. One table will hold buckets of candy, chips, and ramen. The second will display the grocery bags, with extras tucked underneath for quick restocking.

“We’re going to ask The News Pulse, in English and Spanish, if they need help with groceries,” Jacinda says. She anticipates a large turnout.

Martina shares a more personal note about the emotional impact. For her, it’s also seeing the gratitude on The News Pulse’s faces. She knows there are going to be a few tears tonight.

Jacinda has also noticed the ripple effect their project has inspired. Others are doing the same, creating more kindness and action. In a time that feels really dark, they just wanted to share a little light.