ASHLAND — Megan Auer stepped up to feed people who were losing SNAP benefits in November due to the government shutdown. She hasn’t stopped since.
She hosted a dinner for anyone who needed a free meal on Nov. 1 and 100 people showed up. She hosted another dinner on Nov. 28. She estimates 500 people came.
After the first dinner, she started thinking about what else she could provide to help others in need. She was already stocking the Auer Towing office with dry goods for people, but people could only access the resources during business hours.
Other food pantries, such as the Salvation Army Kroc Center food pantry and Associated Charities, are only open for limited hours throughout the week.
Auer wanted to create a place where people in need of food assistance and other resources can come get what they need, when they need it on their own schedule.
The Sharing Shed was born.
It officially opened in early November and is located outside of Auer Towing’s Ashland office, located 524 East 7th St., where Auer is a co-owner.
“We have a space available and we’ve always tried to help out and get involved with community stuff as much as we can,” Auer said.
“The first couple of days [the shed was open], there weren’t that many people, but I think it was just because word didn’t get around,” she added. “Once it did, so many people came.”
Auer said she ran out of food at one of her community dinners and went out to get more.
“That’s when I was like, ‘Wow, this is definitely a huge need,” she said.
Auer spread the word about the new food resource on the Auer Towing Facebook and created a Sharing Shed Facebook page to regularly update people about what items are in the shed.
Word spread quickly and soon community members and business owners stopped by the shed to bring in monetary donations or food donations. Shortly after opening, Auer put a fridge in the shed so donors could leave fresh foods.
Auer created an Amazon wishlist so people could buy hygiene items like toothbrushes, laundry detergent and deodorant in bulk.
“We don’t usually reach out and connect with so many people, but I’ve seen how much [the resources have] grown by doing that and connecting with so many people,” Auer said.
How has the sharing shed changed since SNAP benefits resumed?
The government reopened on Nov. 12, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture worked quickly to deliver SNAP benefits to those who were impacted.
Auer noticed a dip in donations after that, and countless people came by the shed, only to be met with empty shelves.
“That’s when I made a plea on Facebook. I’m frustrated; I thought this was gonna still keep going because it’s not just the SNAP thing, but donations have slowed down,” Auer said.
She made that post on Friday, Dec. 5. Over the weekend, the shed received $1,500-2,000 worth of donations.
“Even though SNAP benefits have come back, the shed has increased foot traffic because word is still getting out there,” Auer said. “It affects everybody, not just people on SNAP. The economy right now [is tough on] everybody.”
Auer said she sees mostly families and older individuals at the shed, many of whom stop by in their work clothes between 4-8 p.m.
A judgement free zone
Auer was once struggling to get by herself. She was a single mother, working two jobs while in school, and making just enough money to disqualify her from assistance programs like SNAP.
“One thing I’ve taken from all this is that you have to make this feel more comfortable and welcoming, and that’s what I’m trying to do so people don’t feel like they’re going to be judged,” she said. “Anybody and everybody can come out — no questions asked.”
It is especially important to Auer to help out those in need in December because four years ago, her son, who was 4 at the time, was sent to the intensive care unit on life support because of lung complications caused by cystic fibrosis.
At the time, not many people knew the Auers, but Ashland residents shared her son’s story and sent hundreds of cards and money for meals while they were at the hospital.
“Since then, this has always been the time of year when we try to make sure we remember to do something special, not just for the holidays, but remembering they were there for us during the worst time of our life,” Auer said.
In addition to the Sharing Shed, Auer has “adopted” 16 families for the holidays, raising money and purchasing gifts for them to have a merry Christmas.
The office also raised $2,000 for the shop-with-a-cop event put on by the Ashland Police Department, where an officer will take underprivileged children shopping for Christmas.
As for the future of the Sharing Shed, Auer said she hopes to keep it going beyond the holidays.
She reminds donors that people struggle all year-long.
“As long as the community is showing they want to keep it going too, we’ll maintain it as much as we can,” she said. “We’re in and out of there 2-3 times a day, restocking it and cleaning it.”