San Antonio rallies $1.6M for families as SNAP status remains murky
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Local businesses banded together to raise $1.6 million for families as the status of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program remains unclear, San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones announced Friday.
Why it matters: More than 130,000 local households depend on SNAP. Texas, unlike some other states, has not declared a state of emergency that would allow it to tap state funds to temporarily backfill federal benefits.
Catch up quick: The U.S. Department of Agriculture said last week that it won't use emergency funds to issue November's SNAP payments as the government shutdown continues, prompting several lawsuits.
The latest: A federal judge in Rhode Island on Friday ordered the Trump administration to pay out SNAP benefits using emergency funds. Another judge, in Massachusetts, demanded the administration clarify by Monday whether it will cover November benefits.
- It's still unclear when — or if — those funds will reach families.
What they did: Jones worked with businesses, including USAA, Frost Bank, Spurs Sports and Entertainment, Valero and the Gordon Hartman Family Foundation, to raise the money in just a few days, she said during a press conference Friday.
How it works: The city will release more details on the distribution plan next week, but Jones said households in need will receive $150 H-E-B gift cards from the San Antonio Area Foundation.
- They will be distributed by Metro Health and the city's Human Services Department.
By the numbers: San Antonio families receive a total of $50 million in SNAP benefits a month.
- The $1.6 million effort will help 11,000 families, per Jones.
What's next: Jones said the fund is a great start, but more help is needed.
- The San Antonio Area Foundation is accepting online donations.
What they're saying: "I want our community to know help is coming," Jones said.