TEXAS – As the federal government shutdown enters its fourth week, food banks across Texas are stepping up emergency response efforts. Families face missed paychecks and delayed SNAP benefits, with payments starting November 1 at risk.
“Food banks are seeing new families who’ve never needed help before,” said Celia Cole, CEO of Feeding Texas. “The shutdown adds pressure to an already strained system.”
More than 3.5 million Texans rely on SNAP to put food on the table, including 460,000 residents in the 12 counties served by the North Texas Food Bank. Half of those affected are children.
Trisha Cunningham, President and CEO of the North Texas Food Bank, emphasized, “Losing access to SNAP means families face impossible choices between food, rent, or medicine.”
Texas HHSC confirmed November benefits cannot be issued on schedule due to the shutdown. Feeding Texas estimates 126,000 Texans could be affected daily, potentially losing $614 million statewide, including $80 million in North Texas.
“Most SNAP recipients are children, seniors, and people with disabilities,” Cole said. “This isn’t just inconvenient—it’s devastating.”
Food banks are expanding targeted distributions near airports, military bases, and federal workplaces to support those missing paychecks. Texas has 333,992 federal employees and 117,567 armed forces members potentially impacted. The North Texas Food Bank area includes 40,452 federal employees and 2,584 armed forces members, not counting dependents or contractors.
Food banks rely on public support. Donations, volunteer shifts, and resource sharing help maintain pantries and mobile distributions. Texans can locate food banks and distribution sites at www.feedingtexas.org/food-banks/ or ntfb.org/get-help.
“As we enter the season of giving, community support is essential,” Cole said. “Together, we can ensure families stay nourished during this crisis.”
