As millions of Americans struggle to make ends meet during the ongoing government shutdown, one New Jersey entrepreneur is cutting through the noise and red tape to help families keep food on the table.
Beverly Dines, known online as @beverlydines, has gone viral for using her Instagram platform to walk viewers through how to apply for a little-known federal program — the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) — which provides free groceries each month to qualifying households.
In her latest video, Dines speaks directly to the camera with an urgency that feels both personal and practical.
“If you are somebody who’s going to be impacted by the government shutdown threatening your SNAP benefits, this is part two on how you can get access to free food right now,” she says, scrolling through the federal website in real-time as she explains how to bypass confusing navigation loops.
Dines, who describes herself as a COO and Chief Empowerment Officer, has become something of a digital lifeline in recent weeks. Her first TEFAP explainer video garnered widespread attention, especially as fears grew over suspended SNAP and WIC benefits affecting nearly 42 million Americans, including working parents, seniors, and children.
“This is not charity,” she stressed in her earlier post. “This is the USDA redistributing American-grown food that’s already been purchased from farmers.”
The TEFAP program, run through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, provides monthly boxes filled with meat, dairy, eggs, produce, rice, pasta, and other staples. Dines highlights that income limits are much higher than SNAP, meaning families earning up to 300% of the federal poverty line may still qualify. Perhaps most importantly, receiving TEFAP aid does not impact other federal benefits.
Her practical, step-by-step tutorial has offered reassurance amid confusion and fear.
“How the hell do I sign up?” she says, voicing the frustration of many viewers who get stuck in endless website loops. “Ignore that message, scroll down, and click ‘applicant participant.’ Don’t give up — it’s blocking your blessings.”
While Washington gridlock continues, Dines’ grassroots outreach has become a beacon of empowerment. She encourages followers to share the information with elderly relatives, single parents, and low-income workers who might not know they qualify.
The USDA’s online portal lists state-specific TEFAP distribution centers, allowing residents in all 50 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico to apply directly.
Beyond the policy implications, Dines’ message underscores something deeper, a call to community.
“These programs are hidden in plain sight,” she said. “They’re funded by your tax dollars. You just have to know where to look.”
In a time of uncertainty and political stalemate, her clear-eyed guidance is helping families find stability.
