U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar and Borderland faith leaders are calling on El Pasoans to rally to support community members who are going hungry amidst uncertainty created by the continued government shutdown.
Federal employees are not being paid and the government has paused the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits during the shutdown.
Escobar and faith leaders called on El Pasoans to donate money or canned food to churches or non-profits that support the community.
“We know that El Paso has had a challenge with dealing with the hunger crisis that our community has faced, but the crisis right now is being exacerbated,” Escobar, D-El Paso, said. “It is being exacerbated by two things: the federal government shutdown, which is now the longest federal shutdown in American history, but also the deliberate withholding of SNAP funds that are available to help continue to feed hungry Americans.”
U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso, talks about the need for action to support Borderland residents amidst the ongoing government shutdown on Nov. 6, 2025
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Escobar and the faith leaders from the Catholic Church, the Reform Jews Congregation of El Paso, and pastors from the Prince of Peace Christian Fellowship and New Life Faith Center were joined in the call to action held at the Diocese of El Paso by El Paso Mayor Renard Johnson and County Commissioner David Stout, and representatives from local non-profit organizations — El Pasoans Fighting Hunger, Desert Spoon and Borderland Rainbow Center — that provide food aid to families in El Paso.
“No one in our city should have to wonder where their next meal is coming from,” Johnson said. “The city of El Paso is working closely with our food banks, organizations, churches and schools to fill the gaps and ensure that no family goes hungry.”
Johnson directed people to the website for El Paso Helps or call 211 to assist residents in finding food or housing. He also pointed out that libraries and recreation centers are also sharing this information to help people find food.
El Paso Mayor Renard Johnson discusses options for El Pasoans struggling with hunger amidst the ongoing government shutdown, which has left federal employees without paychecks and food aid recipients without money.
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El Paso County commissioners unanimously approved measures to address food insecurity in the region on Nov. 3. The measures include authorizing the county to immediately accept monetary, food and in-kind donations from the public to support food relief efforts; it called on the county administration to convene internal and external stakeholders to develop a county-wide coordinated response; and granted use of discretionary purchasing powers to procure emergency supplies needed to protect the public’s health and safety, among other steps to respond to the crisis.
There are currently 143,000 SNAP-eligible residents in El Paso who received more than $23.6 million in benefits in September, according to data from the Texas Health and Human Services Department.
The call for support on the Borderland comes as a federal judge has ordered that the Trump administration must reinstate food aid funding. Federal District Judge John McConnel in Rhode Island stated that the Trump administration had acted “arbitrarily and capriciously” in deciding not to move funds to fully pay for the SNAP.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced in a guidance to states on Nov. 5 that SNAP recipients would receive 65% of their funding, despite previous judicial orders for the administration of President Donald Trump to fund the program.
Rabbi Ben Zeidman from Temple Mount Sinai of the Reform Jewish Congregation of El Paso discusses how Judaism calls on communities to support those in need during U.S. Veronica Escobar’s news conference calling for support for the hungry amidst the ongoing government shutdown on Nov. 6, 2025
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‘Our pantry is empty’
The government shutdown started Oct. 1 after Republicans and Democrats could not find agreement on extensions for health care subsidies under the Affordable Care Act.
The ongoing crisis has worsened the food crisis along the Borderland, and non-profits are seeking assistance to help the needy in the region.
“Right now our pantry is empty as are so many in this city and in this country,” said Amber Perez with the Borderland Rainbow Center during the news conference.
Amber Perez with the Borderland Rainbow Center discusses the challenges they are facing amidst the ongoing government shutdown during a news conference organized by U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso, on Nov. 6, 2025
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Perez told the El Paso Times that their organization supports around 430 families each month. The queer organization has been able to support these families through donations, being able to provide 1.3 million pounds of food, worth over $4.2 million in 2023.
Other organizations like El Pasoans Fighting Hunger have not reached the same crisis, but they are concerned for when the future holds if the government shutdown continues, interim CEO Kris Yagel said. They are currently offering a 100% match for any donations that are made, he explained.
Escobar has sought to provide options for furloughed federal employees in the Borderland during the shutdown.
According to Escobar’s office, FirstLight Federal Credit Union established a website for federal employees affected by the shutdown, as have GECU, Raiz Federal Credit Union, USAA and the Navy Federal Credit Union. These federal credit unions are offering members no-interest loans, mortgage assistance, and other financial assistance during the shutdown.
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A prelude to another crisis
While a federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to fund SNAP, Escobar points out that this current crisis is a prelude to a greater crisis next year.
“While this is temporary, what will happen under the one big beautiful bill will be a permanent cut to snap and changes that will be extraordinarily harmful,” Escobar told The El Paso Times.
Trump’s ‘One Big Beautiful Bill,’ which was passed in June, will cut SNAP by $187 billion when it goes into effect in 2026, Escobar said.
“I hope that we that our community and that millions of Americans get relief as soon as possible,” Escobar said. “But communities across the country, like ours, need to begin planning for the permanent devastating impact of the cuts that are on their way.”
Jeff Abbott covers the border for the El Paso Times and can be reached at:jdabbott@gannett.com; @palabrasdeabajo on Twitter or @palabrasdeabajo.bsky.social on Bluesky.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: US Rep. Escobar, faith leaders look to support hungry during shutdown