AMARILLO, Texas (KVII) — More than three and a half million Texans rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to provide food for their tables each month. However, if the government shutdown extends beyond October, these benefits could be halted.
The government shutdown began Oct. 1, and without additional funding from Congress, SNAP will face cuts.
Celia Cole, CEO of Feeding Texas, emphasized the importance of funding SNAP and the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program during the shutdown.
“Our position is that people should not go hungry during the government shutdown, and that they should fund SNAP and they should fund WIC, while they work out their differences,” Cole said.
Cole highlighted the potential impact on vulnerable populations, noting that approximately 126,000 Texans per day in November might not receive their SNAP benefits due to the shutdown. This equates to about $21 million in food aid daily.
“We’re very concerned about that,” Cole said. She also mentioned the increased need from over 300,000 federal employees experiencing paycheck delays.
Feeding Texas is preparing to support communities by staying in touch with the USDA to understand the shutdown’s impacts.
“We’re going to be appealing to our state elected officials to add additional support to that food grant that we have through the Texas Department of AG,” Cole said.
This support will help provide more food to those affected by the shutdown and assist Texas farmers and ranchers.
The last government shutdown in 2018 lasted 35 days. Cole urged families impacted by the current shutdown to reach out to their local food banks for help.
“I just want people to know that we are going to do everything we can to continue to feed our communities,” Cole said. “We are no strangers to disaster. And food banks across the state are going to work together to bring the food resources to our communities.”
For now, October benefits remain secure.