HOUSTON, Texas — Houston Food Bank will begin providing weekly food assistance to 15,000 families starting Nov. 1, in response to the federal government shutdown that has halted Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits across Texas.
Texas Health and Human Services announced that SNAP benefits for November will not be issued if the shutdown continues beyond October 27. The USDA has suspended SNAP disbursements nationwide during the shutdown. More than one hundred thousand households in the Houston area rely on SNAP for monthly grocery purchases.
Houston Food Bank will open multiple distribution sites across the city to supply protein, produce, dairy, and staple goods. The expanded effort will serve SNAP recipients and federal workers affected through loss or delay of income.
The food bank will announce screening criteria, distribution locations, and volunteer options on Tuesday. Click2Houston will provide live coverage of the announcement at 10:30 a.m.
KPRC 2 News will run a non-perishable food drive in support of the effort. Beginning at noon on October 28, the station at 8181 Southwest Freeway will accept food donations. The public may also make financial contributions through the Houston Food Bank website.
Houston Food Bank leaders stated that the expansion intends to maintain access to food during the shutdown period. Local officials continue to warn that interruptions in federal assistance place added strain on families who depend on SNAP for monthly sustenance.
