As the government shutdown drags on, food banks and families across Texas brace for a potential cutoff in federal SNAP benefits.

HOUSTON — The federal government shutdown has entered its fourth week with no deal in sight, and the effects are hitting home for millions of Texans who rely on SNAP benefits to buy groceries.

If Congress doesn’t strike a funding agreement by the end of the day, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) could run out of money to load November benefits — a situation that would impact more than 3.5 million Texans, including thousands of families across the Houston area.


Food banks preparing for surge in need

Outside the Houston Food Bank, staff say they’re already preparing to help if the shutdown continues. The organization told KHOU 11 that it was ready to step in when the shutdown first began, and that need has only grown as the stalemate drags on.

This is where a lot of families turn when times get tough, and that need is only growing.

If federal funds aren’t available, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission won’t be able to load November benefits. That could force families to make tough choices between buying food and paying other bills.


Texans already feeling the strain

For Eric Maxwell, who lives in southwest Houston, SNAP is how he helps feed himself and his grandparents — about $265 a month. Even now, he says it isn’t enough.

“I have medication like lithium carbonate that I must eat with, you know, and other medications and vitamins and supplements that I must have the proper nutrition with, like, but now, like even now with the benefits that I have, it’s not even enough, because a lot of times I miss breakfast or I miss lunch because if I don’t really have enough to buy for all three meals,” Maxwell said.

He added that the uncertainty has made it even harder to stretch what he receives:

“I may eat breakfast and lunch. Sometime I may eat lunch and dinner, you know. But with this, it even puts me deeper in the hole.”

His story, Garza noted, is becoming all too common across Texas.


Local groups stepping up

With food insecurity growing, local organizations are stepping in to bridge the gap. The Military Family Advisory Network says it has heard similar stories from service members and their families nationwide.

The group is assembling free food boxes in Houston for military families affected by the shutdown — and plans to continue the effort as long as the shutdown lasts. They’re relying on partners and volunteers to keep it going.

The Harris County Precinct 1 Constable’s Office is also planning to open a food pantry to help families in need and is asking for volunteers to drop off unexpired canned goods and hygiene items at designated collection sites.


Political stalemate leaves families waiting

Meanwhile, lawmakers in Washington remain deadlocked. Health care funding has become a flash point as both parties trade blame over the prolonged shutdown.

President Donald Trump: “Some other people talk to you. I’ll have a comment on that later, but the Democrats are stopping it… But really, this is purely Democrat. They’re doing some really bad things. I think they’re lost — they’re lost souls.”

Rep. Lizzie Fletcher (D-Houston): “Government is not working in Washington. Republicans are in charge in the House. They’re in charge in the Senate. They’re in charge in the White House. The government is shut down and shows no signs of reopening. The speaker of the House has sent House members home since mid-September and has not called us back. I’ve been going back to Washington just about every week, meeting with my House Democratic colleagues. But it is going to take serious people who are committed to governing and to serving the people instead of serving one person.”

As the standoff continues, the U.S. Department of Agriculture warns that millions of Texans could lose access to their November SNAP benefits if a deal is not reached today.


A growing ripple effect

SNAP helps one in eight Americans afford groceries, meaning the impact of a lapse in funding could be felt nationwide — from families struggling to put food on the table to the food banks preparing to fill the gap.

Garza reports that other Houston organizations continue stepping up as the shutdown drags on, trying to ensure that no family goes hungry while Washington debates how to reopen the government.

Got a news tip or story idea? Email us at newstips@khou.com and include the best way to reach you.