H-E-B is donating $5 million to Texas food banks and $1 million to Meals on Wheels programs statewide.

The San Antonio-based grocer announced the donations on Friday, days before federal SNAP programs were expected to go unfunded due to the ongoing government shutdown. WIC, TANF, Medicaid and CHIP are not currently affected by the shutdown, but the Texas Health and Human Services Commission said they are monitoring those programs for any changes.

Approximately 3.5 million Texans relying on monthly SNAP benefits to help pay for groceries will not receive any assistance in November, which is expected to further increase demand at area food banks as people battling food insecurity look for alternative food sources. At the North Texas Food Bank, Social Services Manager Enrique Rodriguez said the demand has already increased.

“We’ve seen an increase of people that are affected by the shutdown, whether they’re government employees or just people that are suffering from higher costs at the grocery store,” said Rodriguez.

H-E-B said the donations to food banks and Meals on Wheels help further its mission to help Texans.

“At H-E-B, we are passionate about taking care of Texans,” said Winell Herron, H-E-B senior vice president of public affairs, diversity and environmental affairs. “We are proud of our longstanding partnership with these incredible organizations that work year-round to support those in need.”

The $5 million gift will be distributed among 20 food banks in the Feeding Texas network, including the North Texas Food Bank and the Tarrant Area Food Bank.

“H-E-B’s generous donation to Texas food banks couldn’t have come at a more critical moment,” said Celia Cole, CEO of Feeding Texas, the state association of food banks. “Across the state, families are facing mounting challenges, and this support will make an immediate and meaningful difference. We are deeply grateful to H-E-B for standing with our communities and helping ensure that no Texan goes hungry.

H-E-B is also donating $1 million to Meals on Wheels Texas, which delivers more than 100,000 meals every day to homebound seniors who live alone. According to Feeding Texas, 13.6 percent of seniors in Texas are at risk of hunger.

“On behalf of Meals On Wheels Texas and the many individuals we serve, I want to extend our deepest gratitude to H-E-B for their generous support. Your commitment to caring for our communities ensures that this vital service can continue reaching our most vulnerable neighbors – especially in these challenging times,” said Olivia Burdick, board president, Meals on Wheels Texas & CEO, The Center in Boerne. “H-E-B’s generosity not only provides nourishing meals but also delivers hope, connection, and compassion to those who need it most. We are profoundly grateful for your partnership and for the meaningful difference you make every day in the lives of aging Texans.”

Additionally, throughout November and December, H-E-B will host its annual Feast of Sharing, a series of festive holiday gatherings that serve over 340,000 meals at 34 dinners throughout Texas and Mexico. In the more than three decades H-E-B has held the celebrations, 375,000 volunteers have helped serve nearly five million meals. Details about H-E-B’s Feast of Sharing celebrations can be found here.

Hungry? In need of food?

If you’re hungry and need nutritious, free food, you can call 2-1-1 for the latest information on the SNAP program and find alternative food resources from area food banks, food pantries and other community resources.

If you need food and live in Bosque, Cooke, Denton, Erath, Hamilton, Hill, Hood, Johnson, Palo Pinto, Parker, Somervell, Tarrant or Wise counties, search the Tarrant Area Food Bank website for food pantries.

If you need food and live in Collin, Dallas, Delta, Ellis, Fannin, Grayson, Hopkins, Hunt, Kaufman, Lamar, Navarro, or Rockwall counties, search the North Texas Food Bank website for food pantries.

If you need food and live elsewhere in Texas, visit the Feeding Texas website to find your local food bank and food pantries.