Fall River Restaurant Helps Feed Local Families as SNAP Benefits End

Fall River’s beloved gluten-free bakery is doing something powerful for the community, and it’s coming straight from the heart.

With SNAP benefits on hold for many people in Massachusetts and food insecurity hitting harder than ever, Duke’s Bakery is rolling out a pay-it-forward style board starting Saturday, November 8, meant to feed people who need help right now.

This isn’t a PR stunt. It’s not a fundraiser event. It’s not a thing you need to sign up or apply to take part in.

Free Meals. Free Treats. No Questions Asked.

Owner Christine Holden is putting a board up inside the bakery with cards on it. Each card is worth about $20, enough for a meal, breakfast, dessert or whatever someone needs that day.

Anyone struggling can walk in, take a card and redeem it. No explanation needed. No awkwardness. No hoops.

Holden said the idea was inspired by one simple truth: “No gluten-free kid should go without a cupcake for his birthday.”

READ MORE: Fall River Bakery Creates Loaded Thanksgiving Mac & Cheese

For celiac families, food insecurity becomes twice as tough, because cross-contamination limits where they can safely eat. Duke’s sees those families every day, and they're saying: we’ve got you.

How the Community Can Help

People who can pay it forward can buy a card for the board.

• In store
• Over the phone
• Via Venmo: @dukesbakeryFR

If someone donates $5 or $10, Duke’s will combine it until it reaches the $20 mark and another card goes up.

Why This Matters More Than Ever Right Now

“We as restaurants need to stand with our people," Holden said. "SNAP and food insecure folks helped us through COVID. It’s our turn now.”

And she’s right.

People deserve dignity when they’re hungry. They deserve celebration even when finances are rocky – and yes, someone with no money still deserves a cupcake on their birthday.

This is what community is supposed to look like, and Duke’s Bakery is leading the charge in Fall River.