Families across Texas are bracing for impact as the government shutdown continues and Congress fails to reach a deal.
On Sunday, the USDA confirmed on its website that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits would not be issued on Nov. 1, saying “the well has run dry” and blaming Democrats for the federal gridlock.
The halt could affect millions of Texans, including seniors and children, leaving many unsure how they will afford their next meal.
At Aunt Bette’s Community Pantry in South Dallas, the demand for help is already growing. Volunteers like Caitlin Holcomb are working to keep shelves stocked and families supported.
“We are shopping for produce,” Holcomb said while assisting clients with their two-week grocery haul.
For her, the work is personal.
“All of us have needed an extra hand at some point,” Holcomb said. “We’re all one life event away from it. That’s what goes through my mind.”
Pantry director, Kelvin Browning, said the strain is clear as more families line up for food assistance.
“Right now we’re probably enrolling around ten families a day,” Browning said. “So, we can see that it’s gonna be a lot of people in need for the holidays.”
According to Browning, SNAP helps fill the gap when supplies run low, but with the program paused, the pressure is mounting.
“We may run out of food or get low on food,” Browning said. “And so, with the SNAP benefits, they’re able to go and buy the things that they need at the stores. Now without the SNAP, they’re not able to get food that they need.”
Inside the pantry, shelves are already showing empty spots where fresh vegetables, dairy products, and toilet paper once sat.
“Now you have to worry about where the next meal is gonna come from,” Browning said.
Volunteers and staff are urging the community to step up and help. Those interested can sign up for a shift by visiting their website.
“Just come lend a hand,” Browning added. “If you want to come down, just give some encouragement.”
With no federal help expected in time for Thanksgiving, local food pantries like Aunt Bette’s brace for the weeks ahead.
For families already stretched thin, the uncertainty is more than political. They said it’s a matter of survival.
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