Skip to content
The Gazette. Learn something new today and every day.

More Stories

Multiplying loaves

Marion woman makes bread to help others in community

Elizabeth WoodElizabeth Wood

Nov. 9, 2025 2:53 pm

Rita Clarke, of Marion, adds salt to her bread dough in Marion on Sunday, November 9, 2025. Clarke said her family’s SNAP benefits were cut by the government shutdown. As community members started giving out free lunches, Clarke said she wanted to try to help however she could. “I know other people are struggling, and it’s rough out there. I’m struggling. I usually buy flour in bulk, and I’d like to do something to make it a little easier for any family,” Clarke said.(Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)
Rita Clarke, of Marion, adds salt to her bread dough in Marion on Sunday, November 9, 2025. Clarke said her family’s SNAP benefits were cut by the government shutdown. As community members started giving out free lunches, Clarke said she wanted to try to help however she could. “I know other people are struggling, and it’s rough out there. I’m struggling. I usually buy flour in bulk, and I’d like to do something to make it a little easier for any family,” Clarke said.(Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)
Rita Clarke, of Marion, measures out oil for bread dough in Marion on Sunday, November 9, 2025. Clarke said her family’s SNAP benefits were cut by the government shutdown. As community members started giving out free lunches, Clarke said she wanted to try to help however she could. “I know other people are struggling, and it’s rough out there. I’m struggling. I usually buy flour in bulk, and I’d like to do something to make it a little easier for any family,” Clarke said.(Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)
Rita Clarke, of Marion, measures out oil for bread dough in Marion on Sunday, November 9, 2025. Clarke said her family’s SNAP benefits were cut by the government shutdown. As community members started giving out free lunches, Clarke said she wanted to try to help however she could. “I know other people are struggling, and it’s rough out there. I’m struggling. I usually buy flour in bulk, and I’d like to do something to make it a little easier for any family,” Clarke said.(Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)
Rita Clarke, of Marion, shapes the dough in her kitchen Marion on Sunday, November 9, 2025. Clarke said her family’s SNAP benefits were cut by the government shutdown. As community members started giving out free lunches, Clarke said she wanted to try to help however she could.(Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)
Rita Clarke, of Marion, shapes the dough in her kitchen Marion on Sunday, November 9, 2025. Clarke said her family’s SNAP benefits were cut by the government shutdown. As community members started giving out free lunches, Clarke said she wanted to try to help however she could.(Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)
Rita Clarke, of Marion, places four bowls of dough into the oven to rise in Marion on Sunday, November 9, 2025. Since the government shutdown began, Clarke said she noticed it’s brought the community together. “There’s a lady that has a table in her garage, she does free lunch for kids during the week,” Clarke said. “I’m just hoping that whenever we’re all out of the fire, we don’t all forget each other.”(Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)
Rita Clarke, of Marion, places four bowls of dough into the oven to rise in Marion on Sunday, November 9, 2025. Since the government shutdown began, Clarke said she noticed it’s brought the community together. “There’s a lady that has a table in her garage, she does free lunch for kids during the week,” Clarke said. “I’m just hoping that whenever we’re all out of the fire, we don’t all forget each other.”(Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)
Rita Clarke, of Marion, spreads avocado oil on top of the bread loaves in Marion on Sunday, November 9, 2025. Clarke said her family’s SNAP benefits were cut by the government shutdown. As community members started giving out free lunches, Clarke said she wanted to try to help however she could.(Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)
Rita Clarke, of Marion, spreads avocado oil on top of the bread loaves in Marion on Sunday, November 9, 2025. Clarke said her family’s SNAP benefits were cut by the government shutdown. As community members started giving out free lunches, Clarke said she wanted to try to help however she could.(Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)
Loaves of bread sit on Rita Clarke’s counter to cool in Marion on Sunday, November 9, 2025. Clarke said that since the government shutdown began, she’s noticed many community members and businesses coming together to support families affected by SNAP benefits being cut. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)
Loaves of bread sit on Rita Clarke’s counter to cool in Marion on Sunday, November 9, 2025. Clarke said that since the government shutdown began, she’s noticed many community members and businesses coming together to support families affected by SNAP benefits being cut. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
Date Time Location Previous Next chevron-circle-right Funeral Home Facebook Bluesky X/ Twitter Linkedin Youtube Instagram Tiktok Reddit Email Print Buy RSS Feed Opens in new tab or window PDF
Daily NewslettersDaily Newsletters

Share this article: