As the government shutdown continues, millions of families are watching the calendar with bated breath. Without a resolution to the shutdown, SNAP benefits could come to a halt on the beginning of November.
Now, nonprofits and others in the North Texas community are preparing to step into the gap to meet those needs.
Akwete Tyehimba keeps a refrigerator inside her bookstore, the Pan-African Connection in Oak Cliff. She said donations are always welcome. In the coming days, she hopes to fill these shelves by posting to her social media pages.
The time to replenish, she said, is now, as she prepares to receive a rush of requests.
“I’m sure I’ll be getting phone calls from people who are like ‘do you have food?’ And so, it is a scary time for families who will definitely be short on money to feed their families,” said Tyehimba.
As of October 26, the government shutdown has reached its 27th day. Without a resolution, on November 1, funds for some 3.5 million Texans who rely on SNAP for groceries will come to a halt.
“People I know personally count on that help every month. And when you don’t have $500 for food, you’ll have to find it,” Tyehimba said.
Historically, Tyehimba has partnered with local churches and food pantries. She plans to do that as well.
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission posted on its website that SNAP benefits for November will not be issued if the government shutdown continues past October 27th.
The USDA also posted on its website, blaming Senate Democrats for a potential stop on SNAP funding.
At the North Texas Food Bank, Social Services manager Enrique Rodriguez said the demand has already begun.
“We’ve seen an increase of people who are affected by the shutdown, whether they’re government employees or just people who are suffering from higher costs at the grocery store,” said Rodriguez.
They’re gearing up for whatever may happen over the next several days.
“We want to do everything that we can to help our neighbors and have them come out to one of our sites and pick up food,” he said.
In McKinney, a baby diaper bank anticipates an influx of families as well.
“We’re preparing. We’re going to pack the trailer, pack it full and when we leave, they’re all going to be gone,” said Chris Hutton, Co-founder of Baby Booties Diaper Bank.
Texas dispersed more than $614 million in SNAP benefits in August.
1.7 million children in the state rely on SNAP. According to data from the state’s health and human services department, some 2.5 million Texans who depend on SNAP are between the ages of five and 59.
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