SNAP crisis persists in Austin as food banks and businesses step in
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Central Texas businesses and food banks are banding together to help people in need as distributions from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program remain uncertain.
Why it matters: About 134,000 people in Travis, Hays and Williamson counties are eligible for SNAP benefits, per the Texas Department of Health and Human Services.
State of play: Amid the fluid situation, the Texas agency that administers SNAP benefits appears unsure of what benefits Texans can expect this month.
- When asked where things stand for Texans relying on SNAP, Texas Health and Human Services spokesperson James Rivera told Axios the agency "continues to monitor how the federal government shutdown may impact benefits," but he offered no specifics.
Context: After two federal courts forced its hand, the White House now says it will pay partial SNAP payments for the 42 million Americans who rely on the food program, Axios' Emily Peck reports.
- It's not yet clear when those payments are going out since different states need to update systems to accommodate changes.
- President Trump said in Truth Social post on Tuesday that food benefits will get paid only once the government shutdown ends.
Stunning stat: On Tuesday, the Central Texas Food Bank's annual turkey giveaway in Pflugerville served nearly twice as many families as last year.
What they're saying: "It's one thing when you see natural disasters or daily crisisl; it's another thing when you see this as a result of a man-made disaster in crisis," Sari Vatske, the food bank's president and chief executive officer, told KXAN.
Between the lines: Federal law prohibits retailers from giving special discounts or extra benefits to only SNAP recipients unless they get a special waiver.
- Last week, San Antonio-based grocer H-E-B announced it will give $5 million to food banks and $1 million to Meals on Wheels.
Some Austin restaurants are offering free meals, including free lunch Mondays through Fridays at Wu Chow and free dinner Tuesdays through Saturdays at Swift's Attic.
- "If your SNAP benefits are delayed, or you're a federal worker waiting on pay, come eat with us," per an Instagram post. "Just mention you're there for Family Meal. We will take it from there. No questions asked. No proof needed. Just family taking care of family."
How to help: The Central Texas Food Bank, the Sustainable Food Center and the United Way for Greater Austin, among other places, accept donations.
The bottom line: "This growing need is being compounded by nearly 13,000 federal employees who work within Austin city limits who have already missed at least one paycheck," Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said in a statement.
- The SNAP crisis, he said, "places additional pressure on local governments and nonprofits already struggling from losing federal funds earlier this year."