AUSTIN, Texas — Millions of Americans are wondering how they’ll feed their families this November as funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, is set to expire Saturday, leaving more than 40 million people nationwide in limbo.

Here in Central Texas, local food banks are already seeing a surge in demand as families prepare for the pause. Without SNAP benefits, many are now relying on local organizations like the Baptist Community Center Mission, which has been serving Austinites for nearly a century.

“I have savings, but we don’t all have that blessing; we don’t all have the financial stability,” said a single mother of two living in Pflugerville. “From morning to night, you don’t know if, okay, am I even gonna be able to put food on the table?”

Across Texas, more than three and a half million people, from parents to seniors and those with disabilities, are now wondering how they’ll afford groceries next month.

“We’re not all capable of having a plan B in this case,” the Pflugerville mother said.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently announced it does not have the funds to pay for November SNAP benefits as the government shutdown continues. Starting Nov. 1, many people could be forced to choose between paying for rent and heat or groceries.

ALSO| Central Texas Food Bank ramps up efforts as government shutdown halts SNAP benefits

Chris King, executive director of the Baptist Community Center Mission Austin, said six months ago, their food ministry was serving about 80 families a week.

“As items come in, of course, we check the condition of the can, make sure it’s in good shape,” King said.

“We rely on donations from companies and schools, and churches to make this happen,” he said. “We have so many people calling just for food pantry appointments right now that we can’t handle it.”

Tresha Silve, executive director of the Bastrop County Emergency Food Pantry, said her organization is dipping into reserve funds to keep up with rising demand.

“We’re gonna actually end up spending some of our reserve dollars to actually purchase food so that we can meet the demand that’s happening to us right now,” Silve said.

Those impacted say they’re just trying to get by.

“Most of us worry about our family in general, but to me, it’s my kids. At the end of the day, there’s a priority for them to be able to be fed, to be kept well, to get a roof over their head,” the Pflugerville mother said.

King added that the Baptist Community Center Mission has distributed more than 28 tons of food so far this year. Most food banks prefer cash donations because the money can be stretched further, allowing organizations to buy exactly what families need and respond quickly to surges in demand.

If you would like to donate to the Baptist Community Center Mission, click here. They also accept Venmo at BCCM1935.