Texas Food Banks Mobilize as Government Shutdown Threatens SNAP Benefits and Federal Paychecks
As the federal government shutdown enters its fourth week, food banks across Texas are ramping up emergency response efforts to support families facing missed paychecks and delayed nutrition benefits. With federal employees and armed service members in Texas at risk of income disruption, and SNAP benefit delays beginning November 1, the state’s emergency food system is bracing for a surge in need.
“Food banks are seeing a wave of new faces and families who’ve never needed emergency food assistance before,” said Celia Cole, CEO of Feeding Texas, the state association of food banks. “We’re doing everything we can to meet the moment, but food banks were already seeing increased need due to rising food costs. The shutdown adds another layer of strain to an already stretched emergency food system. Communities across Texas are feeling the pressure and food banks need additional support to keep up with the growing demand.”
More than 3.5 million Texans, accounting for more than 11% of the state’s total population, participate in the SNAP program to put food on the table. This includes 170,000 East Texans in the 26 counties served by the East Texas Food Bank.
“Here in East Texas alone, more than 11,000 federal workers are missing paychecks and turning to ETFB and our pantry partners to help feed their families,” said David Emerson, CEO of the East Texas Food Bank. “We are preparing for a surge for food assistance due to SNAP benefits not being available.”
These benefits are typically distributed on a rolling basis from the 1st to the 28th of each month. If the government shutdown continues, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has stated it will not be able to issue November benefits on schedule.
To help Texans understand the local impact of delayed SNAP benefits, Feeding Texas is releasing data showing SNAP participation by county, including age breakdowns and benefit levels. This data is based on the most recent figures from HHSC for August 2025. It reveals that half of all SNAP participants in Texas are children under 18, and nearly 15 percent are older adults aged 60 and above.
Feeding Texas estimates that approximately 126,000 Texans could be affected each day by delayed SNAP payments. This could mean the loss of over $614 million in food benefits statewide if the shutdown lasts the entire month, based on August payment data.
“When you consider that the vast majority of SNAP recipients are children, seniors, and people with disabilities, the stakes become painfully clear,” Cole said. “These are our neighbors, our grandparents, our kids. A delay in benefits isn’t just inconvenient—it’s devastating. It means empty pantries, skipped meals, and added stress for families already living on the edge. Communities across Texas will feel the ripple effects, from our schools to our local economies. This is a moment that demands urgent action and compassion.”
Across Texas, food banks are expanding their efforts to meet the urgent needs of federal employees and government contractors missing paychecks. According to Census data, Texas has 333,992 federal employees and 117,567 armed forces that could be impacted by a government shutdown. These numbers do not include their family members who depend on their support. It also does not include federal contract employees.
“This shutdown is a reminder of how close many families are to facing hunger,” Cole said. “One missed paycheck can mean an empty fridge. Meanwhile, SNAP is a lifeline for millions of Texans, and that lifeline may be paused for the foreseeable future. Food banks will be the first source of emergency food support for millions of Texans whose paychecks or federal benefits may not arrive as expected. This kind of disruption doesn’t just affect individuals — it reverberates through entire communities, straining local resources and deepening hardship for those already struggling to make ends meet.”
To meet urgent needs, many food banks are hosting targeted food distributions in areas with high concentrations of federal workers, including airports, military bases, and other key locations. These specialized distributions are designed to ensure that those affected have access to nutritious food and essential resources during this challenging time. Texans can find their nearest food bank using our food bank locator tool at www.feedingtexas.org/food-banks/.
“As we respond to this crisis, both public and private support will be absolutely essential to ensure no Texan goes hungry,” Cole said. “Food banks are calling on community members, businesses, and elected leaders to come together and help our neighbors weather these difficult times. Support across sectors allows us to respond swiftly and compassionately, ensuring families have access to nutritious food when they need it most. As we enter the season of giving, it’s a powerful time for Texans to show up for one another. Whether it’s a donation, a volunteer shift, or simply sharing resources, every action strengthens our collective response. Together, we can help Texans stay nourished and ensure those facing unexpected hardship have access to the resources they need to get through this crisis.”
Texans can find up-to-date information on how the government shutdown is impacting hunger, locate nearby food resources, and explore ways to support hunger relief efforts by visiting www.feedingtexas.org/government-shutdown/. They can also find their local food bank and donate directly to support their efforts at www.feedingtexas.org/food-banks/.
View the Data: August 2025 SNAP Participation and Payments by County
A Note on Methodology: To estimate the daily impact, Feeding Texas divided the total number of SNAP participants by 28 days. This calculation is intended to provide a general sense of scale, not a precise daily figure. In reality, HHSC distributes benefits on a rolling basis throughout the month, and payments are not evenly split among all SNAP enrollees each day.