SAN ANTONIO — The City of San Antonio announced it has raised $1.6 million to support households and individuals reliant on Supplemental Nutrition Benefit Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits amidst the government shutdown.
At a press conference Friday, Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones outlined details of the city’s aid plans following the expiration of around $50 million worth of community SNAP benefits. The funds will be distributed to current SNAP recipients through $150 H-E-B gift cards and help just under 11,000 families, Jones said.
“We know the difference that $150 could mean for so many families,” Jones said. “The best thing is for the federal government to get up and running as soon as possible, and until then, we’ll do what we can do at the local level.”
With around 130,000 San Antonio households without food assistance, Jones acknowledged that this is not a long-term solution, but a bridge until the federal government begins running.
The San Antonio Area Foundation is managing fundraising, while Metro Health and Human Services will manage distribution. Over the past few days, contributions from local businesses and individuals have poured in to the Feeding San Antonio Fund.
“People are looking for ways to give and contribute in this moment, which is not unusual because it’s San Antonio and we take care of each other,” said San Antonio Area Foundation CEO Nadege Souvenir.
Jones said further details about distribution will come early next week. While the city cannot fully fill the gap that will leave a large population of the city struggling, Jones said the city is striving to act and help in the best ways it can.