The clock has run out for millions of Texans relying on federal food assistance.
With the government shutdown stretching past Oct. 27, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is out of funding, leaving 3.5 million Texans, including 1.7 million children, uncertain how they’ll eat in November.
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has warned that November SNAP benefits will not be loaded onto Lone Star Cards without congressional action. For many low-income families in Houston, that means a direct hit to already fragile food security.
“This is a crisis. There’s no safety net left,” said Martha Orozco, litigation director for public benefits at Lone Star Legal Aid. “Since the state missed the funding deadline, there’s no conceivable way those November benefits will be processed on time. Families will simply not get their SNAP funds.”
How did we get here?
SNAP is the nation’s largest anti-hunger program. The federal government’s ongoing shutdown, triggered by a stalemate over the national budget, has halted funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which administers SNAP.
“There is no legal or administrative authority in Texas to extend benefits when federal funds are frozen,” Orozco said. “The state has no reserve for emergencies like this. We’re at the mercy of federal dollars, and they’ve stopped flowing.”
The political impasse in Washington, with Democrats pushing to extend healthcare subsidies and Republicans demanding cuts before reopening the government, has left families in limbo. As a result, the average Texas household that relies on roughly $379 a month in SNAP assistance will lose its only grocery lifeline in a matter of days.
The impact won’t be evenly felt. Data from Rice University’s Kinder Institute shows that 53% of Black households in Houston are food insecure. Rates are exceptionally high among women of color (53% of Hispanic women; 51% of Black women).
“It’s devastating,” Orozco added. “We’re talking about seniors, people with disabilities, and children, not a small group, but an entire ecosystem of people who can’t afford to go one month without food.”
Community resources brace for impact
Across Texas, advocacy organizations report that families are flooding phone lines, unsure of what will happen next. Dr. Brandy Taylor-Dédé, State Director of the Children’s Defense Fund–Texas, said her team has been “inundated” with questions about how families can prepare.
“Families are scared and just wondering what’s going to happen November 1,” she said. “We’re trying to provide timely, accurate information, but also be prepared with resources on hand.”
Taylor-Dédé said her outreach teams in East Texas and along the border have seen a surge of families seeking clarity about SNAP, CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program), and Medicaid.
“We know SNAP is at risk, but families are also afraid of what might happen to other essentials,” she said. “So we’re identifying community resources now so that no family is left scrambling to feed their children.”
She urged Texans to continue renewing or applying for SNAP benefits during the shutdown, even if funding paused.
“If you already have SNAP funds on your card, they’re still valid,” she said. “It’s the next reload we’re worried about, but families should not stop engaging with the system.”
Target Hunger, a Houston nonprofit that distributes food and household supplies, reported a 30% increase in attendance at its drive-through food fairs and a tripling of calls from anxious families over the past two weeks.
“We know SNAP is at risk, but families are also afraid of what might happen to other essentials. So we’re identifying community resources now so that no family is left scrambling to feed their children.”
Dr. Brandy Taylor-Dédé, State Director of the Children’s Defense Fund–Texas
“People are scared,” said Carrie Grzelak, Target Hunger’s director of development. “We’ve expanded pantry hours by 25% and are working with the Houston Food Bank to double the food we distribute. But this kind of demand is not sustainable long-term.”
CEO Sandra Wicoff said their team is “bracing for a wave” that could mirror the early pandemic, when job loss and shutdowns sent thousands of families to emergency food lines. “This isn’t like a hurricane where you can predict the end.
“There’s no timeline, no end in sight. Food is a basic need, and we’re doing everything we can, but we can’t fill the entire gap left by the federal government.”
Target Hunger is also urging residents to call 2-1-1 and the United Way Helpline to find food pantries, churches, and mutual aid networks in their area. In neighborhoods such as Fifth Ward, Third Ward, Sunnyside, and Acres Homes, where many residents already face barriers to accessing fresh food, these local resources are becoming lifelines.
Houston civil rights leader Dr. Candice Matthews says the SNAP shutdown is an assault on dignity.
“The SNAP cancellations are not just cuts, they’re calculated acts of cruelty,” Matthews said in a statement sent to the Defender. “When the government snatches food from the tables of Black and Brown communities, it’s not fiscal responsibility, it’s modern-day starvation policy.”
Matthews said community advocates are mobilizing to deliver groceries and launch emergency food drives, but emphasized that grassroots support can’t replace federal responsibility.
“We’re seeing mothers crying in grocery aisles, elders rationing meals, and children going hungry,” she said. “This isn’t a budget issue, it’s a moral failure. As boots on the ground, we’re demanding accountability, restoration, and justice — because no family in Texas should be punished for being poor.”
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Where to find food assistance in Houston
Here are trusted local resources to help you find food, support, and up-to-date information.
Houston Food Bank
Main Warehouse: 535 Portwall St., Houston, TX 77029
(713) 223-3700
www.houstonfoodbank.org
- Visit the website and click “Find Help” for the nearest partner pantry.
- Bring a photo ID and proof of address if possible.
- No one is turned away in emergencies.
Target Hunger
Main Office: 1260 Shotwell St., Houston, TX 77020
(832) 767-1677
www.targethunger.org
- Offers drive-thru food distributions and senior home deliveries.
- Call ahead or check their Facebook page for event dates.
Bread of Life, Inc.
St. John’s Downtown Church: 2019 Crawford St., Houston, TX 77002
(832) 939-7477
www.breadoflifeinc.org
- Emergency grocery distributions every Tuesday and Thursday.
- Also provides toiletries, household items, and disaster relief kits.
United Way Helpline (2-1-1)
50 Waugh Dr., Houston, TX 77007
Dial 2-1-1 or 713-685-2300
www.211texas.org
- 24-hour free and confidential resource line.
- Connects callers with nearby food pantries, meal programs, and utility assistance.
My Brother’s Keeper (Outreach Center)
12621 Bissonnet Street, Houston, TX 77099
832-927-4444
www.mybkoutreach.org
Quick tips for SNAP recipients
- Check your Lone Star Card balance immediately.
- Log in to the Your Texas Benefits app for official HHSC updates.
- Save receipts and paperwork for any pending renewals — processing delays are expected.
- Avoid scams or social media rumors promising “extra” benefits. Only HHSC provides official updates.
