How to find help, help others through November SNAP benefits pause
TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Unless the U.S. government shutdown ends this weekend, 3.5 million Texans on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Plan, or SNAP, won't get benefits for November.
Similarly, a federally funded supplemental nutrition program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) also sits on the verge of ending in November. Texas Health and Human Service's (Texas HHS) has a webpage to provide updates on assistance programs.
Texas HHS said it will monitor the situation as it develops, and provide additional guidance if SNAP funding resumes later in November or if the shutdown extends into December. It said recipients should "continue to report changes and follow instructions and deadlines for
renewing benefits."
Texas has the highest population of food insecure people in the country, affecting one in six homes, according to the nonprofit Feeding Texas.
Unused benefits remain, but long shelf life food recommended
Unused SNAP benefits don't necessarily need to be spent before the end of October and will still be usable in November.
That said, Arkansas' Department of Human Services recommended its recipients use their remaining benefits on shelf-stable food. Those are typically foods that have been canned, dried or smoked, as well as rice, pasta, cereal and infant formula.
For bread, meat, fruits and vegetables, freezing can extend shelf life by several months, according to The University of Georgia's National Center for Home Food Preservation.
How to locate a food pantry, mobile distributions
When benefits end or fail to meet people's needs, food pantries can help to meet those needs.
Central Texas Food Bank, or CTFB, and its partner organizations cover 21 counties, including those in KXAN's coverage area. It has a searchable map that shows nearby food banks, hot meals and kid meals providers. Feeding Texas has a similar map on its website.
The Free Fridge Project has multiple fridges in Austin, which it says anyone can take from or drop off donations at.
Mobile food distributions in Central Texas are scheduled for most of November:
How to help by donating food, money, time
CTFB and its partners are an impressive resource for the region, but also faces its own struggles. KXAN previously reported in April that the nonprofit got hit with a $5.5 million cut in federal funding and the U.S. Department of Agriculture canceled 40 deliveries totaling 761,000 meals.
It's also seen a recent spike in demand from federal workers who haven't been paid during the shutdown.
Food donations can be brought to CTFB's warehouse at 6500 Metropolis Dr. in Austin or to one of its partner pantries. Those who can donate more than 1,500 pounds should contact CTFB for a pickup. Hunters can also bring field dressed whitetail or mule deer to participating processors.
According to CTFB's website, each dollar donated means three meals, with $25 providing 75 meals. Some employers have also promised to match their employees' donations to CTFB.
CTFB also uses volunteers for a lot of its work.
In November, KXAN will hold its annual Friendsgiving Challenge to raise money for CTFB. Viewers donated $174,000 to the food bank during last year's challenge -- more than 520,000 meals.