Families lined up early in west Houston as the Food Bank launches distributions for those without SNAP benefits or federal pay during the government shutdown.

HOUSTON — Families across the Houston area are facing growing uncertainty this week as the federal government shutdown continues to disrupt key support programs — including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and paychecks for thousands of federal employees.

Early Monday morning, people began lining up outside the West Houston Assistance Ministries facility ahead of a special food distribution event organized by the Houston Food Bank. The effort, which begins at 8 a.m., aims to support families struggling without SNAP benefits or delayed federal pay.

“With 50,000 federal workers in our area not being paid now, plus 425,000 area SNAP households not having their cards reloaded, there’s a lot of need surge and we want to step up and help these families,” said Brian Greene, President and CEO of the Houston Food Bank.

Organizers say the event offers quick access to healthy groceries and a lifeline for those caught in the shutdown’s ripple effects. Greene noted that the need has surged across the region as more families find themselves without essential income or food assistance.

When breaking down the numbers, there are more than 300,000 SNAP cases in Harris County, nearly 30,000 in Fort Bend County, and just under 25,000 in Montgomery County — underscoring how widespread the impact is across Greater Houston.

The Houston Food Bank is continuing to hold additional distribution events for families in need. Organizers emphasize that registration is still open for this morning’s event and several others in the days ahead.

Community leaders are also expected to appear at the West Houston event, including Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare and Precinct 4 Commissioner Leslie Briones, as local officials show their support for families affected by the shutdown.

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