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With the federal government shutdown dragging into a second month, many local residents experiencing food insecurity face added challenges.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture last month announced that payments would not go out to recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in November. SNAP provides food assistance to qualifying low-income families.
In previous government shutdowns, the food assistance program has continued uninterrupted. However, the Trump administration announced last month that it would not use roughly $5 billion in contingency funds to keep the program going during the government shutdown. A U.S. District Judge on Friday ordered the administration to use the reserves to cover the lapse in SNAP payments caused by the government shutdown.
The Trump administration announced Monday that it would use the contingency fund to pay half the payments for November, but the president on Tuesday announced on social media that SNAP benefits would only be given out when the government reopened, placing the blame for the ongoing shutdown on Democrats. As of Tuesday, the Senate had voted 14 times on a continuing resolution without reaching the 60 vote threshold with mostly Democrats voting against the resolution.
The White House later Tuesday said it is complying with the court order and will make partial SNAP payments.
Feeding Texas, a network of 20 food banks working to end hunger in the state, issued a statement Saturday saying this is the first time in more than 60 years that SNAP benefits have not be issued.
“This is a reality no American should accept, and it should trouble us all to our core,” Feeding Texas CEO Celia Cole said. “ … We expect politicians to have disagreements, but everyone can agree that no American should go hungry. Feeding people is not a partisan cause — it is the human response.”
In Wise County, around 1 in 9 local households rely on SNAP funding, according to the Food Research and Action Center, a non-profit organization that advocates for policies that would end hunger in America.
There are local resources available to help those in need, including some new options.
Last week, the Decatur Conference Center announced it would provide meals for a family of four each Monday for free, no questions asked. The center plans on continuing the program through the end of December.
“Decatur Conference Center remains committed to serving our neighbors — especially during this season when food insecurity is rising and federal support feels uncertain. While broader solutions are debated, we’re doing our part right here at home,” the center posted on its Facebook page Friday.
The city said eight of the 15 meals available were picked up by local families on Monday.
Check the Decatur Conference Center Facebook page for updates, and call 940-393-0280 before arriving to confirm availability on future Mondays.
Wise Area Relief Mission (WARM), the largest food pantry in the county, has resources available on its website, warmtx.org, including a list of other area food banks and contact information.
WARM is also holding its Thanksgiving Share and Care Food Drive. The food bank is collecting Thanksgiving meal items including chicken/turkey broth, “cream of” soups, canned/box milk, rolls, mini marshmallows, canned vegetables, canned pumpkin, canned cranberry sauce, box mac and cheese, box mashed potatoes, brown gravy jar/packet, spices/herbs, French fried onions, graham cracker crust and stuffing. Items can be dropped off at the food bank anytime before the holiday.
The Bridgeport Mobile Pantry at First Methodist Church is 8 to 9:30 a.m. Nov. 13. Vehicles can line up in the middle school parking lot before 7:15 or after 7:40 a.m. There will be vegetables, fruit, protein and other food for 275 families. Volunteers are needed at the church starting at 6:45.
First National Bank is holding its annual food drive now through Nov. 28. The goal is 4,000 pounds of non-perishables that will be donated to Wise County food banks and pantries. Donation boxes will be located in lobbies of First National Bank branches in Bridgeport, Chico, Paradise and Runaway Bay.
Wise Choice Custom Meats in Decatur will hold its Sixth Annual Keona’s Thanks-Giving Day event on Thanksgiving. Free, hot meals will be served to all who need one 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday. To pick up your meal at the store or for delivery, call Patricia Crawford at 607-282-2839. To participate in the sit-down meal at the Center for Emotional Wellness, 1602 W. Business U.S. 380, call Terra Durdon at 940-389-7730. Volunteers are needed to deliver meals.
*Editor’s note: If your organization is offering food assistance in the coming days or weeks, email news@wcmessenger.com to have the information added to this story.
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