DALLAS – Millions of Americans face hunger as the federal shutdown continues. The Texas Organizing Project (TOP) denounces the Trump administration’s decision to suspend SNAP benefits at the end of this month.
Pearline Harper, a TOP leader from Dallas County, shared her deep concern. “Forty-two million people in the U.S. are about to lose access to food,” Harper said. “Trump caused this shutdown. What’s he doing? Dancing to ‘YMCA.’ He’s also planning his White House ballroom.”
Harper emphasized that the situation is unacceptable. “It’s unconscionable,” she continued. “This billionaire president seems detached from the people he should serve.”
Moreover, Harper revealed alarming financial details. “The Trump administration is sitting on $5 billion in emergency SNAP funds,” she said. “That money could stop families from going hungry. However, Trump refuses to use it.”
Additionally, Christina Quintero, another TOP leader from Harris County, highlighted the devastating impact across Texas. “In Texas alone, 3.5 million people rely on SNAP,” Quintero said. “That includes 1.7 million children.”
She added that this crisis goes beyond politics. “We face a state and national emergency,” Quintero stated. “Black and Latino working families across Texas struggle to feed their loved ones.”
Quintero continued with a call for justice. “Every person in this country deserves basic food security,” she said. “Age, race, or income should not determine who eats.”
Despite the lack of federal leadership, Quintero said TOP is taking action. “While Trump fails to lead, we step up,” she said. “We’re engaging, informing, and connecting our communities to essential food resources.”
Ultimately, TOP calls for immediate action to restore SNAP benefits and protect millions from hunger.
