Warehouse associate Christopher Remington gathers produce for mobile food distributions at the Central Texas Food Bank on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. Millions of Texans who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will see a disruption to their November benefits because of the federal government shutdown.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman
As the federal government shutdown continues, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is facing growing uncertainty over future funding.
For now, October 2025 benefits are being distributed as scheduled in most states, and existing balances on Electronic Benefit Transfer cards remain usable. However, if the shutdown extends into November without a congressional funding deal, millions of households could see serious disruptions.
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SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – MARCH 27: A volunteer distributes food to a person at the San Antonio Food Bank on March 27, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas. The USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) has frozen $500 million in deliveries to food banks nationwide. The funding had been previously generated from the USDA’s Commodity Credit Corporation, and the recent halt comes after the agency announced it will be ending two Covid-19 era programs that provided additional funding for food banks and schools to purchase food and supplies from regional farmers. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
Brandon Bell/Getty Images
RELATED: November SNAP benefits paused amid government shutdown; Central Texas Food Bank stays open
Across Travis, Williamson and Hays counties, 133,089 people qualified for SNAP benefits in August, according to the most recent data available from Texas Health and Human Services. If SNAP benefits are disrupted, food banks and pantries can provide individuals and families with food security.
Here is a list of local organizations that can to help SNAP recipients if their food subsidies go away next month:
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Major providers around Austin
Central Texas Food Bank — The CTFB is the largest hunger-relief charity in Central Texas. In addition to hosting food distribution events across the region, the food bank also collaborates with Travis County to support its food pantry operations.
Visit the website at centraltexasfoodbank.org to find a distribution center or food pantry near you.
Travis County Food Pantry — Travis County’s Food Pantry program provides free groceries to residents in need. Each household can visit one of the county’s Community Centers once every 30 days to receive about three to five days’ worth of food, including canned goods, produce and frozen items.
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To apply, residents fill out a short form online or in person with basic household details — name, address, number of people and income or assistance information. IDs aren’t required unless someone else picks up on your behalf. Walk-ins are accepted, but scheduling an appointment is recommended since supplies are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Hope Food Pantry Austin — This nonprofit provides groceries to families facing food insecurity. A partner of the CTFB, Hope offers drive-through distributions every Thursday, Friday and the first Saturday of the month, from 9 to 10:30 a.m., at 4001 Speedway, using the 40th Street entrance.
Where to go, fast
ATX Free Fridge — These fridges are a community-run project that stocks outdoor refrigerators across Austin to fight hunger and food waste. Open 24/7, there is no paperwork or ID required. Their motto is, “Give what you can, take what you need.” Locations include Brentwood, Dove Springs, Dittmar, West Campus and outside Nixta Taqueria.
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Volunteers restock the fridges weekly, and anyone can help by donating food, cleaning or hosting a new site.
An individual shops at a food bank. Texas food banks remain in operation amid news of SNAP benefits halting in November.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Prefer drive-thru or limited contact?
Impact Now Dove Springs — This site offers drive-thru food distribution on Teri Road.
North Austin Muslim Community Center — The center operates a drive-thru pantry on North Lamar and provides limited home deliveries for seniors and residents with mobility challenges.
El Buen Samaritano — The nonprofit hosts mobile food distribution events and runs a Thursday morning pantry at its Woodhue campus.
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Families and students
Austin Voices Family Resource Centers — In partnership with Austin ISD, these on-campus centers help families with basic needs, including access to food assistance. Sites include Burnet Middle School (which also serves Cook Elementary), Dobie Middle School, Perez Elementary and Webb Middle School.
People’s Community Clinic, People’s Pantry — The clinic offers both perishable and shelf-stable groceries alongside its regular health services.
UT Outpost — This on-campus pantry and career closet provides University of Texas students with free food and professional clothing.
UT School of Nursing Social Resource Center (Del Valle) — The center offers food, clothing and computer access for students and community members.
Seniors
Central Texas Food Bank HOPE Program — This program provides a monthly box of shelf-stable food for income-eligible adults age 60 and older. Residents can ask the Food Bank or its partner sites for information on how to enroll.
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Neighborhood and faith-based sites
Hours vary at these sites, so call ahead before visiting.
South and Southwest Austin: South Austin Church of the Nazarene on Menchaca; Saint Ignatius Martyr; Oak Hill Baptist on Convict Hill; Christian Life Austin on West Gate; Abiding Love Lutheran on Brush Country.
Central and East Austin: Cristo Rey Catholic on East Second Street; San José Catholic; Olivet Baptist on San Bernard; Greater Mount Zion on Tannehill.
North and Northwest Austin: Westover Hills Church of Christ on Mesa; Austin Spanish First Seventh-day Adventist on Rundberg; North Austin Christian Church on Rutland; Austin Vineyard on Morris; St. Andrew’s Presbyterian on Wells Port.
Most sites ask new visitors to check in or fill out a brief intake form.
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Arianna Bohara, volunteer, weighs boxes of donated items at the Central Texas Food Bank Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022, in Austin.
BRIANA SANCHEZ/AMERICAN-STATESMAN
Outside central Austin and surrounding counties
Round Rock: Round Rock Seventh-day Adventist.
Pflugerville: Food for All; First United Methodist Church of Pflugerville (Paula’s Pantry and Clothes Closet); St. Elizabeth Catholic
Cedar Park and Leander: Reveal Resource Center; Hill Country Community Ministries.
Manor and Elgin corridor: Eternal Faith Baptist Church.
Hays County, Buda and beyond: Hays County Food Bank.
Bastrop County and nearby: Primera Baptist in Bastrop; Rosanky Baptist in Rosanky; Ridgeway Baptist in Paige; Grace Baptist in Red Rock.
Highland Lakes region: Marble Falls Church of Christ; First Baptist Church of Marble Falls.
Llano County: Llano Food Pantry.
Before you go
Here are some tips for getting food at a service site:
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Bring a reusable bag or box if you can. Lines move quickly.
Arrive early for first-come, first-served sites.
If transportation is a barrier, ask about mobile or delivery options — some programs serve seniors or people with mobility challenges.
When in doubt about eligibility or required paperwork, call ahead or check the site’s website. Many have flexible, low-barrier policies.