The suspension of food assistance payments during the shutdown of the federal government that began Oct. 1 could overwhelm the local, state and national food bank system, according to officials who oversee organizations serving DeWitt County.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Payments (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps, would not be issued during November if the shutdown did not end by Oct.
27. It will be the first time for SNAP payments to not be made since the program was created by the Food Stamp Act of 1964 under President Lyndon B. Johnson.
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHS) that administers the SNAP program confirmed there will be no payments in November.
“HHS continues to monitor how the federal government shut down may impact benefits,” said HHS Office of Communications Press Officer James Rivera. “Due to the shutdown, SNAP benefits for November won’t be issued at this time.”
Two federal judges ruled Friday, Oct. 31, the Trump Administration must fund SNAP with emergency funds, but appeals of the rulings are anticipated. Delays in payments will occur no matter the outcome of the lawsuits filed by states because of the time that would be required to process the payments, according to officials.
Food Bank of the Golden Crescent CEO Robin Cadle said she has grave concerns about the impact of the SNAP halt on food banks and the clients they serve. Forty million Americans depend on SNAP benefits, including 3.5 million Texans.
“The end of SNAP benefits will have a devastating ripple effect across our communities, especially for those already living on the edge,” Cadle said. “When families lose this critical support, they turn to food banks like ours for help — but the charitable food system was never designed to replace federal nutrition programs.”
Cadle noted that her organization based in Victoria already serves 1,400 individuals in DeWitt County in addition to clients in 10 other counties. The food bank distributes products to a total of 40,000 people through local agencies.
“We are preparing for a significant surge in demand, but our resources are limited by the same challenges facing food banks across Texas — higher food costs, reduced federal commodities, and limited funding,” Cadle said.
The SNAP statistics webpage indicates that in DeWitt County as of September 1,329 cases had been approved, representing 2,782 individuals eligible for SNAP payments. People who are not currently food bank clients but receive SNAP benefits are encouraged and expected to reach out for help in November for the first time, food bank officials say.
Feeding Texas, the state association of food banks, is also bracing itself for a crush of new clients, according to CEO Celia Cole.
“Food banks are seeing a wave of new faces and families who’ve never needed emergency food assistance before,” Cole said. “We’re doing everything we can to meet the moment, but food banks were already seeing increased need due to rising food costs. The shutdown adds another layer of strain to an already stretched emergency food system. Communities across Texas are feeling the pressure and food banks need additional support to keep up with the growing demand.”
Cadle’s organization refers people seeking help to two food bank locations in DeWitt County. They are CAMAL House at 118 W. Main St. in Cuero (361-2755022) and Yorktown Assistance Ministries at 123 S. Eckhardt St. in Yorktown (361-2755022). Another is Calvary Baptist Church at 102 Warn St. in Cuero (361275-3736).
Yorktown Assistance Ministries Director Sharon Metting said she is anticipating first-time clients to seek help but is unsure how big the demand will be.
“We are going to do everything we can to feed people,” Metting said. “I hope there will be enough.”
Cadle said she is confident that all food bank workers will share a commitment to help feed the hungry.
“For those who depend on SNAP to make ends meet, we encourage them to reach out to their local food pantries, or visit Food Pantry List - Food Bank of Golden Crescent or call 361-578-0591 to find food assistance near them,” Cadle said. “We are committed to doing everything we can to ensure that no one in our region faces hunger alone, and while our community is resilient, the need is growing faster than our resources. We remained committed to doing everything we can to make sure no one goes hungry, and we are calling on our neighbors, partners and local leaders to join us in responding with compassion and urgency.”
